"Modern in the City" Exhibit

The International Quilt Festival was in Chicago last weekend. They invited my Chicago Modern Quilt Guild along with the Naperville Modern Quilt Guild to participate in a Modern in the City challenge. I was so impressed with what my fellow guildsters did and want to give you an opportunity to see these amazing pieces. So, sit back...

City Links by Sarah Shulman

Where the Heart Is by Nicole Weldon

Bright Lights by Amy Strunkmeyer

Picasso in Piecing by Judy Tucker

Six Corners:  Milwaukee Damen & North by Jennifer Benoit Bryan

Chicago (by train) by Erin Davis

Somewhere in the City by Laura Hartrich

View Below by M A Cramer

Windows by Eileen O'Regan

Bean in the City by Shannon Dangerfield

Emily Lang

Two Cities: One Heart by Peta Minerof-Bartos

City Block by Ruth Hild, Naperville IL

Rush Hour by Anita Marsh, Oswego, IL

 I was called away from IQF with a situation regarding my father, who is at the end stages of his life. He has been a musician and piano tuner, and I thought this piece entitled "Tuning Fork  #11" by Heather Pregger of Texas was appropriately the last picture I took that afternoon:

Tuning Fork #11 by Heather Pregger, Texas

I was pretty pleased to have "City Spokes" in such fabulous company

Just catching my breath...

All deadlines have been met, my hand project is coming along ever-so-slowly, and I'm getting ready to dive into that big pile of Pepper Cory shot cottons. So in this wonderful breathing space, I've been doing little things. Like these zippered pouches.  And then I found this little free down for a Reversible Box Tote by veryshannon.com.  It's deep, it stands alone (especially with Soft and Stable in it), and is perfect for keeping my new car - Tuxedo Black 2013 Ford C-Max - organized. 

And occasionally I whittle away at my stack of batiks by making some unlined Mors bags.

Sewing in a different space

Guild buddy Emily B invited me over for a sew date, and we made these fabulous Molly Market Totes.  A day with a friend (who is 40 years younger than I.  Whatever...) plus a completed project?  Who can ask for anything more...

And a picture of the progress on my hand project...

From a Vest to a Tote

I keep thinking that I'm able to make clothing. I made this vest. And even though I didn't wear it, I started on a new one from some fabulous fabrics. Both vests have been sitting in my closet for three years. Vests just are not a good look for me.  And now? This vest is a tote. Much better...

Design Floor Wednesday

The Design Wall is already occupied

Ready for a Sew-in

with great thanks to the Good Organizational Fairy Cristina...

When Quilting Makes the Quilt...

 This simple napping quilt (65" x 85") is a basic design with quiet colors - the bride's request was a palette of white, blush, and tan.  Using 4.5" x 8.5 bricks in a herringbone design with these fabrics created a very plain quilt top.  But then Frank from T and F Quilting Studio worked his magic, and the quilt is now something that I am proud to give to my cousin Jerry White's daughter as her wedding present.  Best wishes to them as they start their lives together!

The back is even simpler than the front

 When Natalie's older sister Erin was married, I used the same size bricks for her quilt.  Natalie's quilt has some of the same fabrics that I used in Erin's quilt.  

This last shot is significant because my cousin Jerry has the same carpeting - a brownish/pinkish woodrose - in his house. 

Anwer: Simple Tote, Sports Quilt, and Placemats

 Question:  What's been happening in the Studio this week?  First, this sweet little tote made from a bright batik is a little retirement present for my SIL who is finally graduating from Hinsdale Central after 37 years in the classroom.  Hooray!  Chris loves bright colors and corals and pinks, so I think she will LOVE this handy summer tote.  This is the Arabesque pattern from Sew Sweetness and is a free download. 

Just two little pockets on the inside and a zip top

The graduation quilt for Shari B is completed and spectacular, thanks to Frank at T and F Quilting. Shari's son is going to a college whose colors are grey, black, and royal blue. Dom's quilt is 60" by 80" and has a pillow made from a leftover baseball jersey.  From thin baseball jerseys to thick hockey jerseys,  Frank Karls and his longarming skills handles them all.  This quilt is absolutely useable and washable and will showcase some high school memories for years to come.

So far 4 of my 16 placemats are almost done.  These plain outer borders are crying for some quilting.  This is a great opportunity for some threadplay!

It's Thursday.  Off to my parents with some shrimp and grits and my handsewing, all nestled into this nifty little tri-zippered pouch from my guild buddy Sarah E. Having made a couple of these, I know how special these are and love that Sarah made this for me.  What a spirit-lifting gesture! 

In my favorite colors

Loaded and ready to go! (and check out the little pin cushion in the top of the bag!!!)

Mentoring

Cristina has been sewing with me for over 10 years - she made her first quilt when she was in 7th grade.  She's been in the studio all week, working on a h.s. graduation quilt for her boyfriend's sister.  This quilt imitates the feel of one spotted in a catalog, sort of a Moroccan Tile-inspired quilt.  Cris has a degree in fine arts from the U of Iowa.  So to watch her process has been very interesting - and so different from the way I work.  I was gone all day last Thursday.  When I came home, this finished top was on the design floor. 

While Cristina's been working on her project, I have quietly been  working my way through placemats for my house.  I'm thrilled to have these underway - they have been in the planning stage for far too long.

This simple purse is a free pattern from Sara Lawson at Sew Sweetness - it's her Arabesque bag.  It's simple in that there is a zipper at the top and two interior pockets.  A perfect little tote.  I put my phone on it just to give an indication of the size. 

And I picked up this sports jersey quilt from T and F Quilting - all it needs is binding and it will be ready for its June deadline.  

Finding a Home

Several years ago I did a series of basic quilting classes at the Lawndale Christian Church, and we were doing blocks from Eleanor Burns's Underground Railway Sampler.  Four of these sample blocks are in a 36" x 36" wall hanging.  Grad school/teaching buddy Carol Conway is doing a fundraiser for the Morgan Park Youth Ministry and asked if I had a donation.  I think this is perfect.  These blocks, started with upper left, are Bear's Paw (look out, animals ahead), Monkey Wrench (tools are needed), Jacob's Ladder (indicating direction), and Log Cabin (safe house ahead). 

Here's the charity quilt that Eileen, Jennifer, Sarah S and I worked on at the Spring retreat.  Sarah S did the quilting and passed it over to me for the binding.  Credit goes to our Emilies for putting these kits together.  

Below is my hand project, which is turning into a hand-machine project.  I am indeed putting the 9-patches together by hand.  But I am firming up these  11" blocks with machine sashing and corner stones.  And although this is premature, I think the quilting will be a combination of machine and hand work.  So far, I have 9 blocks completed, and I like where this is going.