Tag: Quilt Patterns (Page 8 of 10)

image of trail of tears

River Heritage – Trail of Tears

May 14, 2018 /

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

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The Trail of Tears quilt block is Month 5 in the River Heritage Block-of-the-Month Mystery Quilt.

The Trail of Tears quilt block is a classic block depicting a rich, though sad history. However, as the Mississippi River definitely play a part in this story, it had to be included in our quilt. Thankfully, I can share with you what I learned about this beautiful park while learning about this dark trail.

Image of River at Trail of Tears State Park

The Trail of Tears State Park, located on the Mississippi River, in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, is a beautiful park with four trails, three river overlooks, a lake, campsites, picnic areas, and a visitor’s center. It  also is a burial site which commemorates the tragic deaths and hardships of the forced relocation of the Cherokee.

Image of River View
View of the Mississippi River from Trail of Tears State Park.

The Trail of Tears State Park

The visitor’s center is filled with information including audio recordings, video presentations, books, and static displays about the Trail of Tears, plus information about wildlife found in the area.

Image of Cherokee on Trail of Tears

It is difficult to read, see, and hear about the struggle of these people at the hands of our government and, consequently, our country.  Still, it is wonderful to have the history and beauty of the state park right here in our own “backyard”.  I highly recommend a visit to the state park for the views and the history lesson.Image of Trail of Tears SignImage of Mississippi River

The Trails

Choose from a variety of trails to hike at the park. They range in distance and difficulty to suit just about everyone.

Image of stone
Later found to have inaccuracies, this covered stone still stands to honor all those who endured the march of relocation on the Trail of Tears.

The Quilt Block

The Trail of Tears quilt block is made from sixteen half-square triangle squares. Make eight from a dark/light combination. Make another eight from a medium/light combination.

Image of Trail of Tears Block
Trail of Tears Quilt Block

Follow the instructions for value (light, medium, and dark) and use your own color scheme to make your block. Remember to check your values by taking a black and white picture of your fabric choices.  I look forward to seeing the variety of blocks you make!

River Heritage Month 5 Trail of Tears (Printer Friendly Version)

River Heritage Month Six

SHOP more than 50 quilt patterns that use BOTH beautiful sides of fabric in my Etsy shop HERE!

Image of Pattern Cover

Introducing…Angelina

May 7, 2018 /

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Table of contents

The Angelina (ballerina) quilt was designed from a photo I took of my daughter on pointe.

While her technical name is simply, “Angelina”, I call this quilt, “Angelina (ballerina)” for a reason.

To me, pointe shoes are just beautiful.

First, as a little girl, I always aspired to be a ballerina. However, in the small town in which I was raised, I only got to take dance lessons a few times. That’s how long the teachers stayed in town!

Moreover, both of our two daughters took ballet lessons for years (so I got to live out my dream through them). Of course, this explains why a ballerina quilt would be on my mind. Consequently, over the years, I have sewn countless elastics and ribbons to many pairs of pointe shoes. Keep in mind, most of the time, this was hurried and last minute, right before class. Therefore, most of the years, I didn’t WANT to be sewing ribbons and elastic to pointe shoes! I wanted to sew little pieces of fabric into bigger pieces of fabric, like the rest of my friends!

Pointe was the point!

Obviously, both of our daughters loved ballet. However, I’m not sure either of them would have stayed with it as long if they’d ever thought pointe shoes were off the table.

However, when I realized I was in the last few years of having pointe shoes in my life, I began to cherish those stitches.

The Angelina (ballerina) point(e) of this story is from the American Girl spin-off of the little mouse with the same name. Angelina Ballerina is a cute little mouse who loves to go to ballet lessons. We still have her, along with her stage, costumes and props. Like most of the American Girl stash, she’s going to stick around. And, Angelina Ballerina wore pointe shoes!

Image of Angelina Ballerina

Now for this Angelina (ballerina) quilt pattern!

Image of Angelina ballerina
Angelina Quilt Pattern

The Angelina (ballerina) quilt was also inspired by the fabric, which was originally used for the mason jar bouquet pattern, called Grace.

The RIGHT side of things.

The RIGHT side of the floral focus fabric is used to make the pointe shoes, ribbons and binding.

The REVERSE is key.

Angelina (ballerina)’s tights and the sole of her left shoe is made from the REVERSE of the same floral focus fabric.

It’s all about VALUE.

I knew I had to get things correct when drawing out this pointe shoe template. Having never been on pointe shoes myself, I checked with my daughters to make sure Angelina was standing properly on top of her shoes!

Background fabrics count, too!

Once you’ve chosen the perfect focus fabric for your ballerina quilt, you’ll want to choose background fabrics carefully, too. You learn how to audition both sides of focus and background fabrics in the pattern. Using a variety of background fabrics adds interest and sparkle to your quilt!

Image of Paige
Paige, 2011

Pointe isn’t all glamour and glory, though. Mom’s of pointe students are well aware of the time spent stitching in ribbons and elastic. Additionally, girls generally never outgrow point shoes because they break down too quickly and must be replaced often. They take special fittings and there are hundreds of options from which to choose.

Image of Jacq on Pointe
Jacquelyn, 2018

For the young dancer, pointe shoes seem to be a right of passage. It takes determination, maturity, time, and skill…and the acceptance of bloody toes, ugly feet, and a large collection of expensive and eventually smell shoes!

Determined girls wouldn’t have it any other way.

Neither would Angelina Ballerina!

See more than 50 quilt patterns that use BOTH beautiful sides of fabric HERE.

 

Enjoy YOUR quilting journey!

Image of Orville Wichern
Orville J. (Willie) Wichern 1926 - 2018

The Tie that Binds

May 1, 2018 /

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Table of contents

Blest be the tie that binds.

There are ties that bind us within our families, within our interests, and within our world. Additionally, current events, a world away, tie us all together.

Personally, this has never been more apparent to me than with the loss of my dad.

Image of Orville

Blest be the tie that binds

Our hearts in Christian love;

The fellowship of kindred minds

Is like to that above.

We pour our ardent prayers

Before our Father’s throne.

Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,

Our comforts, and our cares.

We share each other’s woes,

Our mutual burdens bear;

And often for each other flows

The sympathizing tear.

When we asunder part,

It gives us inward pain;

But we shall still be joined in heart,

And hope to meet again.

John Fawcett, Wendell Kimbrough

Memories of Dad

I think some of you will know exactly what I mean when I say that my heart is sorrowfully heavy and full of joy–all at the same time.

The ties that bind joy and sadness.

I lost my 91 year-old father.  I’m sad that our family doesn’t have pictures of the times I remember most from my childhood. These ties that bind seem silly. But the memories are vivid in my mind. Some are simple, like my dad in our garage, fixing the brakes of my bike so I could ride to the pool. Moreover, I remember my dad pulling our boat around for the hundredth time to try to get me up on skis. Did he know the life-long memory he was making? Couple that memory with one of him hitting the throttle and telling me when to pull the plug as we drained our boat. It’s strange, these ties that bind. Finally, I have a not-so-happy memory of dad directing me and my sisters to help put up our tent on a hot afternoon. We were NOT happy campers AT ALL.  But these memories are precious.

When the struggle is over.

In these last 13 months, while he struggled with his health, my sisters and I got to see Dad again–the witty, silly, playful side of him. He was an endearing man who softened the hearts of his caregivers and doctors, especially when they figured out he was constantly messing with them.

The peace which passes all understanding.

Moreover, I am full of joy and forever grateful that my dad had great faith, even when it hurt him tremendously to keep it. However, in his final moments he asked, “Where am I?” and answered himself peacefully, “Heaven”, as he passed. Ultimately, this is the only tie that binds that really matters. Few of us get such confirmation at the end of our loved one’s life.

In conclusion, when I start to focus on the doubts and questions of what could have been, I remember that incredible “God Wink” gave us upon Dad’s departure from this world.

Instead of Quilting Analogies to the Tie that Binds

This is supposed to be a blog about quilting. Actually, there are many analogies I could make that use quilt themes to describe family and loved ones and friendships. Instead, I’ll leave a few pictures of the man I called dad. And thank you, friends, for allowing me to share him with you.Image of Willie with QOV

Image of Willie
Dad acting silly with his cap.
Image of Dad and Mom; ties that bind.
Image of Willie and WWII cap
Even in illness there is the tie that binds.
Image of my dad and the tie that binds.
Orville J. (Willie) Wichern
1926 – 2018

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Image of Jacket

How do YOU Quilt Week?

April 23, 2018 /

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

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Quilt shows are like Disneyland for us.

In which land of the quilt show park do you like to hang?

Quilt show lands.

Firstly, do you map out a plan for conquering the whole “quilt park”? Secondly, do you stick to your plan? Or are you more of a “go with the flow of people and see where we land” kind of quilter?

Quilt show park passes.

Overall, here’s my generalizations of the types of visitors to quilt shows.

  • The quilt study. This quilter’s priority is to carefully see and study each quilt entered, reading the program notes as they go.
  • The land drover. This quilter needs to see each section, floor, and adjacent activities within the entire city hosting the show.
  • The vendor supporter. This quilter must hit all booths and find all new tools of the trade!

How do you conquer the quilt show challenge?

Initially, our little group starts with a plan. In the same fashion, we often change our plans!

Individual priorities.

That said, some of us are students, some are shoppers, some want to see it all!

Against the crowd.

Apart from our differences, we generally agree to go against the crowd. By that I mean, we first go to the furthest “lands” in the park. Once the crowds have cleared from the park entrance, we go see the mainland (winner’s circle).Some years we really study the quilts. There are some years that we REALLY shop the vendors.  Other years we’ve taken classes. Some years we throw our plans  out the window and just go!

This was a big quilt show year for me.

At the time of this writing, more than 10 of my quilt patterns and quilts were featured in Hancock’s of Paducah for Quilt Week in Paducah, Kentucky. Needless to say, I spent a good deal of my park time in this establishment!

Free pass.

Moreover, to celebrate, any friends who posted their photo with one of my patterns or quilts and #usebothsides was entered into a drawing for a free pattern of their choice.

And the winner is…

(drum roll and scroll down)

Quilt Show Week in Hancock's of Paducah
Rose, Pepita, and Emily hang in the distance.
Image of Quilts Hanging for Quilt Show Week
L to R: Sally, Kate, Lily, Belle, Phoebee, Something’s Brewing, and Fiona hanging at Hancock’s of Paducah!
Karla Kiefner with patterns at quilt show week in Hancock's of Paducah.
That’s me looking at Phoebee and Pepita patterns hanging in Hancock’s.
Image of Hancock's Post
Fiona was a featured quilt in Hancock’s of Paducah Facebook Promotion.
Image of Honey Pot

Finally, all the names went into the honey pot and the winner is Cindy Spaeth! Congrats, Cindy! Pick out your pattern, girl!

 

SHOP more than 50 quilt patterns that use BOTH beautiful sides of fabric HERE.

Learn how to use both sides HERE.

Image of Layered Block Sets

Chain-piecing a Quilt Block

April 2, 2018 /

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Table of contents

The Benefits of Chain Piecing

As a new quilter, the method of chain piecing seemed magical to me! Not only was I surprised by the time savings, I really liked how soothing this technique made my stitching time.

Firstly, when piecing a sampler quilt (for example, the River Heritage Block-of-the-Month Mystery Quilt), chain piecing individual blocks can save you time and help you stay organized.

Chain piecing is a great technique for all quilters to know.

Secondly, since we have all levels of quilters participating in the free mystery quilt offered here, I decided to share a technique with our newer quilters in mind.

Moreover, chain-piecing is something seasoned quilters do without thought. I remember the lightbulb going on when I was first taught to chain-piece.

My approach to this method.

Actual chain-piecing is not nearly as hard as describing it in words.

me (author)

Have you ever given road directions to someone and said, “It’s not nearly as confusing as it sounds.”? That’s how describing chain-piecing is. Hand’s on, it’s easy to grasp. In words, it seems confusing. Take it a step at a time the first few times and soon you’ll be chain-piecing without even thinking about it.

Here’s how I approach chain-piecing an individual block.

 

Image of Quilt Block
This quilt block is made of four rows and four columns.

The goal when chain piecing is to do as much continuous sewing as possible.

 

Image of Chain Piecing a Quilt Block
Turn Column 2 onto Column 1, RST.
  • Cut and prepare block pieces. Sample shows all half-square triangle units (HST).
  • Arrange block pieces according to block design.
  • Notice your columns and rows. Here there are four columns and four rows. The unit on the top left is in Row 1 and Column 1.
  • Turn each HST in Column 2 onto the HST to the left, in Column 1, right sides together (RST).
  • Likewise, turn each HST from Column 4 onto the HST to the left, in Column 3, RST.
  • Stack the Column sets to move to your machine for stitching, taking care not to lose their proper order.
  • Starting with the top set ( the unit from Row 1, Columns 1 & 2), stitch down the right edge with your normal 1/4 inch seam allowance.
  • In the same fashion, feed all of your units, one after another into the machine without clipping their threads. A machine with a knee bar makes this easier, but it is not necessary.
  • Trim threads. (See a great thread cutter here, made specifically for chain-piecing.)
  • Press according to pattern. Arrange the units again in proper order You should have two columns.
  • Similarly, turn Column 3/4 Units onto Column 1/2 Units. Stitch, trim & press. You are now left with four completed rows.
  • Finally, stitch the rows together.

Organization and order is essential.

Image of Layered Block Sets
Layer the sets from the bottom up to take to your machine.

The Progress.

Granted, the process of chain piecing may seem never-ending. However, once you’ve constructed the rows, your progress really shows itself.

Image of Chain Piecing Technique
Now you have two columns.
Image of Chain Piecing Technique
Turn Column 2 onto Column 1 and stitch.
Image of Block Rows
Rows 1 is at the top and Row 4 is at the bottom.

Trim and Square

Importantly, remember to square and trim your block after it is pressed.

Enjoy your quilting journey!

See and shop more than 50 quilt patterns that use BOTH beautiful sides of fabric!

Image of Three Quilts
Phoebee, Belle, and Lily
Image of Three Quilts
Rose, Emily, and Kate
Image of Seahorse Quilt
Sally Quilt Pattern
Image of Flamingo Quilt
Fiona Quilt Pattern
Quilting Journey

Seven Ways to Use Both Sides of Fabric

March 19, 2018 /

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Table of contents

Get inspired to use both sides of fabric!

First, get a glance at seven (of now more than 50) quilt patterns made with both beautiful sides of fabric, right here, right now! Fun announcements included below!

The girl who started it all…Phoebee.

Learn how Phoebee inspired the start of using both sides of fabric HERE.

Image of Bee Quilt
Phoebee Quilt Pattern

Firstly, Phoebee’s focus fabric has a lot to say! However, it doesn’t completely define this quilt! Look at that eclectic group of background fabrics! It’s all about value. I love how Phoebee gets her life and vibrancy from the very flowers (REVERSE) she’s pollinating.

Belle and Lilly join the party.

Image of Butterfly Quilt
Image of dragonfly quilt made with both sides of fabric

Soon after Phoebee was born, Belle and Lilly came to life. In the same fashion as Phoebee, these two gals were made with both sides of floral fabrics. Their contrasting genre of fabric give them each a unique style.

Additionally, I taught numerous classes of this Colorful Wings collection.

Image of Three Quilts on Fence
Phoebee, Belle & Lily

Value is key when you use both sides of fabric.

Read Mysterious Values.

Rose was the first pattern in the Colorful Petals series.

image of both sides of fabric for Rose

Interestingly, I found Rose’s focus fabric in Branson, Missouri, as I raced through the shop. I quickly pulled out bolts to look at the reverse sides of fabric, while my husband waited in the car. This fabric by Red Rooster was an instant winner! Notice the secondary scroll design that shows on the vase? It’s gorgeous on the REVERSE.

Both sides of floral fabric for more bouquets.

Image of Three Quilts
Colorful Petals Quilt Patterns

Creative Bee Studios Etsy Shop

Launched, Fall 2017

More fun with both sides of Sally fabric!

Image of Seahorse Quilt with both sides of fabric
Sally Quilt Pattern

Eventually, I began shipping patterns all over the United States and to Canada!

Creative Bee Studios use both sides of fabric quilt patterns have been featured in AQ Magazine, Hancock’s of Paducah, Connecting Threads, Nancy’s Notions, and quilt shops across America!

Learn more

In conclusion with this overview of the past year, thank you all for your support.

Enjoy your quilting journey!

Image of Four Grace

Simple Designs for Stunning Quilts

February 26, 2018 /
Image of Grace Quilt Pattern

Introducing…Grace, a simple design for a stunning quilt.  First, take a mason jar shape. Next add a broderie perse bouquet. Finally, construct a fun, scrappy background to make a sweet quilted wall hanging.

You first pick your floral focus fabric for the mason jar (reverse), bouquet, and binding! Add scrappy background fabrics and you’ll be set. 

You’ll discover the nuances of value as you learn to audition BOTH sides of fabric! Each #usebothsides patterns teaches you how to audition your fabrics. Value is the key to success! Learning to measure value is a skill you can apply to all your future quilt projects.

Your focus fabric determines the style of your bouquet. 

I’ve had a large room full of quilters make this design at their annual retreat and the results were, well, stunning! Each quilter had a guide for how to choose both focus and background fabrics before the retreat. They also brought extra fabric for last-minute changes. This pattern is a great classroom or workshop project because the results are incredibly different. Even if two quilters choose the same focus fabric, their background fabrics and bouquet arrangement makes their quilts unique. It truly is a simple design for a stunning quilt.

How do you know if a fabric has a great reverse? You learn through the auditioning process. After looking a few reverse sides, you’ll soon have a good feel for those fabrics you can audition. It’s also a great conversation starter at quilt shops when they see you looking at BOTH sides. Some of my friends say they never look at one side of fabric anymore. In a way, it’s like doubling your stash without losing any space!

 

Learn more about modern Broderie Perse! 

SHOP HERE
Image of Simple Design Stunning Quilt
Image of Four Grace Bouquets
SHOP Creative Bee Studios Quilt Patterns HERE
Image of Kate's Bouquet Simple Design Stunning Quilt
Kate’s Bouquet is another way to use BOTH sides of fabric!https://www.etsy.com/listing/720564306

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Image of Cat on Quilt

The Quilting Forecast

February 19, 2018 /

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Table of contents

An interesting quilting forecast abounds when raindrops on Rose, quilted umbrellas,  and Mary Poppins connect.

This quilting forecast is looking good. Fortunately, rain doesn’t usually dampen a quilter’s spirits. In fact, a little forced inside time can do wonders for sewing production, right?

Traveling to my home town to introduce my patterns to the local guild, I am careful to keep the raindrops off of Rose! I’ll be teaching a large workshop for the Memory Makers Quilt Guild soon. This is their first look at what’s ahead!

The Quilting Class Forecast

Image of Quilt
Rose Quilt Pattern

Six or more quilt designs are the choices for the large workshop.

The quilters get to choose from a number of designs, including Phoebee, Belle, Lilly, Rose, Kate, and Emily. The quilting forecast for this group is creativity!

The Memory Makers may have a small membership, but they are large on participation and creativity.

A memory maker for me.

Born and raised in this small town, I have fond memories of simpler times. We rode bikes all over town (sans highway 61- not allowed). I worked summers at the swimming pool, start as “bag girl”, becoming a life guard, and even managing the pool one summer. As teenagers we “rode around”. There were homecoming snake dances around the square in route to the big bonfires. The cracked sidewalks and uneven pavement I rode over and over seem etched in my mind.

Moreover, I am honored and fortunate I can go back to my home town to share my quilts with friends.

However, with the wet weather forecast for this week, I’ll be doing my best to keep the raindrops off of Rose and all her friends!

Umbrella Table Runner

It seems fitting to break out the umbrella table runner today with the forecast of a rainy week ahead. This quilting forecast is CUTE!

Image of Quilted Table Runer

Undoubtedly, this is a fast, fun project. We are talking about a single background fabric, just a few cuts of scrap Kaffe Fasset fabric, and the Accuquilt umbrella die! Coupled with pebbled quilting and you’ve got a perfect table runner for a wet forecast. See Raindrops on Roses to see a few of my favorite things from the AQS Quilt Show in Paducah.

Furthermore, umbrellas always remind me of a favorite book, movie, and musical:

Mary Poppins, of course! Like shifts in the wind, the music, the magic, and the meaning of this beloved story is a favorite. The umbrellas in the runner above seem like they could be pulled right out of Mary’s carpet bag!

Quits and Musicals

Our youngest daughter, Jacquelyn, played the role of Mrs. Banks in her final college show. Apart from the Mary Poppins show, I’ve made a number of quilts to commemorate her various roles in musical theatre. One such quilt was for her role as Laurey in OKLAHOMA!, shown below.

Image of Quilt
See OKLAHOMA! Backroads in South Dakota.

Click HERE to see  “Sweet Dreams…of You” and the quilt commemorating Jacq’s role as the legendary Patsy Cline and  Click HERE to see “One…Singular Sensation” which features a fantastic quilt binding tip and Jacq’s role as Cassie in A Chorus Line.

SHOP more than 50 quilt patterns that use BOTH beautiful sides of fabric!

Image of Railroad Crossing block

Month Two River Heritage BOM Mystery

February 12, 2018 /

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Table of contents

Make the Railroad Crossing block for Month Two!

Image of frozen river for Railroad Crossing block

The Railroad Crossing block is the first stop on Month Two of River Heritage! Railroads belong with rivers, for sure. Here’s a view of this track near the Mighty Mississippi River.

Image of Railroad Crossing block

About Railroad Crossing Block

This quilt block makes a stunning statement. While there are other versions of this block, this one is a versatile block which could be used in a variety of settings. Furthermore, you could get an interesting secondary pattern by the use of value in large half-square triangle units. This one is a simple, but stunning version. Moreover, this block could make a great stash-busting, scrappy quilt all by itself!

Learn more about VALUE here.

Break down of Railroad Crossing Block

Specifically, this block is made of two half-square triangle units and two four-patch units. Click here for more information on Half-Square Triangle Units.

In the same fashion as the Paddlewheel block, you’ll want to use dark, medium, and light fabrics. Remember to check your values as you choose fabrics and placement. Additionally, It is an easy block to make. It requires only two four-patches units and two half-square triangle units.

Printable PDF: River Heritage Month 2

Image of Quilt Block

Share your block using #riverheritage on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

A special thank you to my nephew, Blake Kiefner, for letting me use his gorgeous picture of the frozen Mississippi River!

River Heritage Month Three

My quilt patterns shown below in Nancy’s Notions Catalog!

Image of Nancy's Notions Page

SHOP more than 50 quilt patterns that use BOTH beautiful sides!

Image of paddle wheel quilt block progress

Free Block-of-the-Month Mystery Quilt

February 8, 2018 /

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Table of contents

Month One for River Heritage Block-of-the-Month Mystery Quilt block progress is well underway!

Before we look at the next block in the series, let’s see the guild’s quilt block progress so far on the first block!

Importantly, these Paddle Wheel blocks use dark, medium, and light fabrics.

Specifically, it’s wise to audition your fabrics all together since values can change depending what it’s near. Click here for more information about The Tricky Traits of Value.

Additionally, the Paddle Wheel block is made of squares and half-square triangle units.

See the Introduction HERE for more information about the quilt, including the general setting guidelines.

I think a fun way to gauge the progress is by taking a look at the blocks shared so far with the hashtag: #riverheritage

Click HERE for Month One: Paddle Wheel

Paddle Wheel Quilt Block Progress
Month One – Paddle Wheel Block

Look at the quilt block progress and all the fabulous fabrics used in these Paddle Wheels!Image of Paddle Wheel BlocksImage of Paddle Wheel Blocks

It’s not too late to start this free mystery quilt.

Make your Paddle Wheel today!

Share your Paddlewheel with this: #riverheritage  

Click HERE for Month Two!

SHOP more than 45 quilt patterns that use BOTH beautiful sides of fabric HERE!

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