I Need Help!

I know its been awhile since I posted, but that doesn't mean I haven't been working!

This is a picture of my latest design. I still have 3 more blocks to make and decide on borders. I am so happy with the results, so far, but I'm having trouble naming it.

Any suggestions?

Officially Spoiled!

I am back home after one of the most wonderful weekends I have ever had. I got to spend this past weekend at Ariel's Bed and Breakfast in Mayville, NY, making new friends and teaching my special paper piecing techniques. There were 5 of us staying at the B & B and our wonderful hostess is a quilter, too, so the weekend was even more special than I thought it would be. Margo Stuart is an amazing cook, baker, and quilter, among other things, and has lived such an interesting life I really looked forward to the times she was able to take a break from taking care of us and just sit and talk.

This is the first time I have had any reason to go up to the Chautauqua Lake area in the winter time and I loved it! Unfortunately, I forgot my camera so I am waiting for one of my friends to send me some pictures to share here. I had to check on my own little cottage that is on Lake Erie while I was in the area and got to see the lake partially frozen. What a surrealistic view we had from the cliff overlooking the lake. It was so quiet and the landscape was completely motionless so that it felt like I was looking at a photo. It was eerily beautiful and I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to see it.

If you are ever looking for a comfortable and cozy place to stay in the Chautauqua Lake area I highly recommend Ariel's Bed and Breakfast!

Ready or not, here it comes!

 Its time to get those Christmas gifts done! My projects, Lexa's Angel and Peppermints Ornament/Mug Rug, are quick, easy projects that you'll be able to make for Christmas. Lexa's Angel can be used to make a small wallhanging or a pillow and goes together quickly. The ornament has a pocket in the back where you can hide a small gift, such as a gift card or some cash. It would also look great tied onto a bigger gift box. The Peppermints Mug Rug would make a great teachers' gift! Just pair it with a Holiday Mug and a chocolate spoon.

I am offering both of these patterns for only $10. The regular price of Lexa's Angel is $10 so you'd be getting the Peppermints pattern for free. This offer is only available until Monday, November 12th until midnight. Lexa's Angel is available on Craftsy by download at http://craftsy.com or you can order a printed copy directly from me for the same price plus postage. After you purchase Lexa's Angel on Craftsy, send me an email so I can email the Peppermints pattern directly to you. If you have any questions, please email me at larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

Upcoming Classes

I have 2 classes scheduled at one of my favorite local quilt shops--Quilter's Corner in Finleyville, PA. Here is a link to their class list: http://www.quilterscorner-pa.com/newsletters/print_news/print_news.php

 

There are so many wonderful projects in their newsletter I'm sure you'll find something you're interested in learning how to do!

 

Both of my classes are my original designs and are paper pieced.

 

COUNTRY CLAUS
 

This project is a wall hanging but could also be used to make pillows. One of the things I teach in my paper piecing class is how to use directional fabrics in a paper pieced project. Its not as difficult as you might think!

 

WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM!

This table runner is also paper pieced but the center of the block is added using a Y seam. Lots of fun!!!

 

Whew! I need a break!

What a crazy couple of weeks I've had! One of the highlights has been the opportunity to teach a workshop for a wonderful group of ladies from Erie, PA. The Hands All Around Erie Quilt Guild invited me to teach a 6 hour workshop in paper piecing. I showed them my tricks for using directional fabrics as well as how easy it is to paper piece a Y seam. I had SO much fun with the group that I decided to join their guild! Since Erie is 2 hours from my home in Pittsburgh, I won't be able to make it to every meeting but I hope to make it to the summer meetings. The picture above is the view I enjoyed while eating lunch. The following evening, I was the featured speaker at their meeting where I got the chance to show all of my quilts and tell some of the stories behind them.

Before I headed up to Erie, I had to drop off the center panel for the Whitehall Library quilt I've been working on so it could be displayed at the Whitehall Community Day. We didn't want to give away too much of the final design but we wanted to make sure people could get an idea of what the finished quilt will look like.

CHRISTMAS BELLS ARE RINGING

CARTWHEELING CLAUS

CHRISTMAS ANGEL

CHRISTMAS ANGEL

LEXA'S ANGEL-love the wings!

NIGHT JEWELS

NOVA

PRESSED FLOWERS

Some of my quilts

The last 4 days, I've been helping a friend with a quilt that is a gift for her mom. She is presenting it today and I can't wait to hear about her reaction! I'm so excited to post a couple of pictures but I promised I would wait until the party is over.
 

Upcoming Class!

This is one of my newest designs called CHRISTMAS ANGEL. I will be teaching an all day workshop at Sew Special in Uniontown, PA on August 11th. My sample angel is paper pieced and done in Christmas colors but she looks beautiful in other colors, too! Her hair color can be changed to signify or honor someone special in your life. Now is a good time to start on your holiday projects! There are a couple of spaces still available so if you're interested call the shop to reserve your spot. 724-438-1765

Sewing and Quilting Expo coming to Pittsburgh!

In case you haven't heard, The Original Sewing and Quilting Expo is coming to Pittsburgh for the first time! The show is August 2, 3 and 4, 2012 and registration for classes has begun. Lots of big name teachers and wonderful classes! I even have the opportunity to teach my tips and tricks for paper piecing with directional fabrics!

Pictured above is my project. They are ornaments with a little pocket in the back where you can hide a gift card or other small gift for someone special. Both ornaments are made with the exact same fabric but used in different positions. If you've ever wanted to use a directional fabric in a paper piecing project but found it difficult to get it just right I can show you how!

Here is a link to the Pittsburgh show: http://sewingexpo.com/PittsburghPA.aspx

A New Chapter

This is my newest design, called Star Crossed, just published by Arbee Designs! It is a small, paper pieced wall quilt and I had a lot of fun making it myself, so I hope others will, too. I am so excited to be working with Arbee Designs since I will have more of an opportunity to do the part of quilting that I love the most--DESIGNING! I love being able to create something that didn't exist before. So many people think quilts can only be made with half square triangles and squares. That is simply NOT true and I aim to prove it. Traditional quilts are beautiful and I admire them but today's quilters have so many tools and techniques that we aren't limited  (unless we want to be) to doing what our mothers and grandmothers did. Try something new, spread your wings and fly!

Ruth Blanchet and her team at Arbee Designs will do the part I like the least--printing, folding, marketing and selling. I've already got 2 more designs in the works with Arbee so its back to work for me.

Check out all of the other amazing quilt patterns available from Arbee Designs here: http://arbeedesigns.com/

Heart Star Table Runner class at Sew Special in Uniontown, PA

I am teaching at Sew Special in Uniontown, PA this coming Saturday. The project I am teaching is my newest design called Heart Star. See the hearts? It is a paper pieced table runner with a Y seam and I am looking forward to showing my students how easy it is to do! If you're looking for something to do Saturday, January 21st, call the shop and see if there's still room: 724-438-1765

What I'm Working On

This is a Christmas version of my design called Lexa's Angel. This is a design I use to raise funds for my friend's family. My friend Nikki lost her 7 year old daughter in a car accident almost a year ago. A young man, after having too much to drink, crossed the center line and hit Nikki's car head on. Lexa died that night and Nikki spent a month in the hospital and about 5 months in rehab. I think this block would make a wonderful holiday decoration or gift! If you are interested in making a donation to The Cleland Family Fund and getting this block design as a THANK YOU send me an email at: larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

The reviews are in

I always look forward to getting my evaluation after teaching Special Studies at Chautauqua Institution and was particularly proud to read them this time. So I decided to share!

The class I taught was paper piecing and I used a project I designed specifically for CI. I call it Lakeview (this photo was taken with my phone so I apologize for the quality). One of the things I teach in the class is using a directional fabric in paper piecing. I have asked other teachers who teach this technique how they handle directional fabric and have been told by most they instruct their students to avoid them but I have come up with a simple way to handle these difficult patterns and have taught it to many students over the years. I would love to teach it to many more so if you are looking for a workshop for your guild and might be interested in learning this technique and others feel free to get in touch with me!

Anyway, back to my reviews. The things we are evaluated on are as follows:

Class was well organized
Class was well prepared
Instructor had knowledge of subject
Instructor communicated effectively
Instructor made efficient use of time
Instructor enthusiastic about teaching
Students free to ask question/opinions
I would recommend this instructor

I received EXCELLENT in all of the above categories which made me feel really good but the actual written comments are what I am really excited to share.

"Can not wait to take this course next year"
"Wonderful"
"Best class I have ever taken"
"Sue was the best teacher. She is very patient and willing to take extra time with each student"

I hope you don't mind me using my blog as the refrigerator door!

Isn't This Cool!

Quilt Trends in Columbus Ohio is doing my pattern, CARTWHEELING CLAUS, as a block of the month. Susan Sandritter, the owner, added 8 additional Santas to my original design and had some fun with Santa's outfits. There is a cowboy Santa, quilter Santa, OSU fan Santa, Uncle Sam Santa, Flower Child Santa, and a ready for Halloween Santa! How much fun is that?

She will send out kits if you're interested in participating. Check out her website at: http://www.quilttrends.com

I'M SO EXCITED!!!

I have some new projects coming up that I can't wait to share but I'm not allowed to yet. There are contracts to sign and other things that have to happen first but I'm so excited to get this thing going! I will blog about it as soon as I am allowed.

In the meantime, I have a few other things going on that I AM allowed to talk about. First, I am getting ready to teach my first session this season at Chautauqua Institution. Wednesday, June 29th is my first class and I am doing it differently this year than last year. Last year, I did one project for 3 days but this time I have designed a project that can be done in 2 hours or my students can spend the 3 days with me and go a little more indepth with my original design or any one of my other designs.

For those of you that aren't familiar with Chautauqua Institution, check out their website at: http://www.ciweb.org/ It is one of the most amazing, inspiring, artistic places I have ever been. The classes are open to anyone and there are so many to choose from. I will post a photo of some of my designs that you can choose from for my class in a later post or you can see a lot of them on my website at: http://www.larkspurlanedesigns.com/

I will also be lecturing for the Hearts and Hands Guild in Scottdale, PA on July 14th (my birthday, hint, hint) and teaching at Sew Special in Uniontown, PA on July 16th.

If you have any questions about any of these events you can email me at: larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

I'm a Cover Girl!!!

Wellllll, not really but....my block is a cover block! My clown block appears on the cover of the latest issue of 100 Blocks from Today's Top Designers in the upper left hand corner. This is my second time in this magazine but my first time on the cover! Who knows, maybe next time my name will be there! Always something to work towards in this business.

So Anyway...

This is a better picture of the project I was teaching when I had my little heart "episode". Its a design I worked on a few years ago and then got distracted and moved on to something else. People have been asking me for awhile when it will be ready as a pattern and I can finally say, "IT'S READY!"

It measures 26" x 33", and is a paper piecing project. The pattern retails for $12.50 because of the buttons that are included (3 rain drops, 2 ladybugs and beads for the eyes).

If anyone out there is interested in purchasing this pattern send me an email and I will make arrangements to get it to you. larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

2011 Quilting and Needlework Seminars at Trax Market

I am pleased to announce that I have been asked to participate in Quilter's Corner's seminar day at Trax Farm! Every year the ladies from my favorite local quilt shop plan a wonderful day of demos and lectures. I have never been able to attend before because I always had to work but this year I have been able to make plans to be there as a lecturer.

I will be showing my favorite techniques and tricks for paper piecing and I am so excited to share what I know! The details for this special event are as follows:

2011 Quilting and Needlework Seminars at Trax Market


Saturday ~ March 12th


10:30am – 4:15pm


For the past several years we have spent an entire winter day in the cozy atmosphere of Trax Market. The change in scenery allows us to share over 25 different topics, both lecture and hands-on presentations, in a “round robin” format, special quilt displays, charitable opportunities, yummy box lunches, goodie bags and door prizes.


The event continues to be met with overwhelming praise – we would love to have you join us this year. Seminar teachers are already getting their plans in order, (including information about the new Bread and Butter Society, our Quilts of Valor initiative, new block of the month offerings…), so that we may share a complete schedule for the event mid February.

Please register as soon as possible as spaces fill very quickly! Fee: $39.50

I stopped at the shop yesterday and was told there were a few spots still available so if you live in Pittsburgh or coming for a visit and want to take part in this wonderful opportunity call asap and reserve your spot--724-348-8010

My Newest Angel

This is the latest version of my Angel pattern that I have sewn out. I have gotten such a wonderful response to the earlier version that I decided to work on the original design and have made some changes. Anyone that got the earlier version and would like to have the newest version can send me an email and I will send it out.

Anyone else that would like to make a donation to The Cleland Family Fund and receive my Angel pattern as a "Thank You" from me would be much appreciated.

Nicole Cleland is a friend of mine who was involved in a car accident earlier this month with a drunk driver. Her 7 year old daughter Lexa was killed in the accident and Nicole has more surgeries ahead of her and about 5 months of recovery. There is no telling when or if she will be able to return to work.

The Cleland Family Fund is set up at The First National Bank:
2550 Brownsville Rd.
South Park PA 15129
412-831-4800

Send me an email after you make your donation and I will email you the pattern for Lexa's Angel. larkspurlanedesigns@yahoo.com

Thank you!
Sue

Are you afraid of paper piecing? Here are some of my tips.

So I admitted yesterday I don't know my way around a ruler very well (although I do have students who would disagree with that statement because I can fake it when I have to) how many of you are willing to admit you are afraid to try paper piecing?

When I teach paper piecing I call it quilting by numbers. The number sequence is so important to successful paper piecing. When I design a paper pieced pattern, I try to make the number 1 piece the biggest piece in the unit. It doesn't always work out that way though and I think that confuses people sometimes. They naturally want to start with the biggest piece and add the smaller pieces afterward. There are times when you can ignore the numbers a little bit but those times are not the norm. So my first piece of advice is to make sure you start at number 1.

The first piece of fabric always goes right side up on the blank side of the paper and should be cut larger than the space it needs to fill. It can be pinned or glued in place. I prefer flat head pins because it bothers me when I can't get all the paper out when the block is finished. I like the flat head pins best because I can lay a ruler on top of them and the ruler doesn't "seesaw".

The ruler I like to work with for most of the project is the Add-A-Quarter Ruler. When I first saw it, my thought was, "I don't need ANOTHER ruler!". But when I tried it, I knew I had to have it. It has a lip that measures a 1/4" so I don't have to worry about putting the 1/4" mark of my rotary ruler is the right place each time I have to trim.

After I have my first piece of fabric secured to the foundation, I turn the foundation printed side up so I can place a card on top of the number 1 segment lining up the edge of the card with the line between the number 1 and 2 segments. I fold just the paper back over the card right on that line. Next, I place my Add-A-Quarter Ruler on top of the foundation making sure the lip of the ruler catches on the fold of the paper. Now I can trim the first piece so it has a 1/4" seam allowance. The next piece of fabric is placed right sides together on top of the number 1 piece lining up the edge of the number 2 piece with the trimmed edge of number 1. I can pin this piece in place if I feel the need, but if I use a pin I make sure it isn't close to my sewing line. All of the lines drawn on the foundation are sewing lines so I make sure my pin doesn't touch the one I am getting ready to sew on. I lower my stitch length so I am getting about 15-20 stitches per inch. On my Bernina I set it at 1.5. On Babylock machines, where you have to choose between 1.4 and 1.6, I would choose 1.4.

The shorter stitch length serves a couple of purposes. The paper takes up some space so when it is removed you don't want your stitches to be loose. The shorter stitch length makes them a little tighter. Also, with more stitches per inch, the paper is more perforated and will be easier to remove later.

Now its time to sew! Turn the foundation over, printed side up, and sew on the line between the number 1 and 2 segments. Start stitching at least a 1/4" before the line starts and end at least a 1/4" after the line ends. It is impossible  to sew too far in paper piecing because any extra stitches and fabric will be trimmed off before adding your next piece. This second piece of fabric needs to be pressed open and trimmed before adding the number 3 piece. If the sewing line for number 3 piece intersects the first sewing line, when you fold the paper back on the line the first 2 pieces of fabric will fold back with the paper. Simply grab the fabric and gently pull it away from the paper so the fabric will lie flat on the cutting mat and the foundation folds back neatly on the line. Use your Add-A-Quarter Ruler or rotary ruler to trim the exposed fabric to 1/4" and continue adding your pieces in numerical order.

Paper piecing is really a simple process and can give great results without making you want to tear your hair out. I have been able to use directional fabrics and make sure the design ends up where I want it. I can also get every piece of fabric into the project on grain if I think it is important to the success of the finished piece. I know of one quilter who won't take a paper pieced top because the grain line is all over the place most of the time. That isn't the case with mine. I can also paper piece a "Y" seam very easily. I will talk more about these techniques later so check back!

I LOVE PAPER PIECING!

Ok, I admit it, I am math-challenged. I hate having to figure out measurements and worry about an accurate seam allowance. I'm a "ruler tapper". I don't trust the numbers I see so I have to count the squares with my finger to be sure. After 10 years of quilting, I can sew an accurate, or at least consistent seam allowance, but with paper piecing I don't have to worry about it.

The last class I took was about 9 years ago and was a paper piecing class. From the moment I learned the technique, I KNEW this was how I wanted to make every quilt for the rest of my life. Even if I want to make someone else's design, the first thing I think about is whether I can paper piece it or not. Then, if I decide I can, I redraw the design in my computer, print out the foundations and off I go. Most of the time, the design is actually simpler and can be done with less pieces by paper piecing than by rotary cutting the shapes. For example, I saw a pattern that was done with half square triangles that looked like diamond shapes when they were pieced. The design resembled the flights on an arrow, but by doing it with half square triangles, there were twice as many seams. That means more fabric, more matching and more chances for bad intersections when matching.

There are some patterns that really can't be sewn using any other technique unless you enjoy driving yourself crazy. Consider the Mariner's Compass. Can you imagine cutting all those points out with a rotary cutter and templates and thinking you will ever get it together right? I can't. Or the New York Beauty block? I love both of those designs but would never attempt either if it weren't possible to paper piece them.

What about miniatures? The quilt I posted a picture of in my last post had pieces that are less than 3/8" square. There might be someone out there who would be able to put that together with templates, but I can assure you, it wouldn't be me.

I think you owe it to yourself to at least try this technique. Its not for everyone, I suppose, but if you have a good teacher and the desire to learn something new, it might end up being your favorite technique, too.