Education · General Information Quilting

Chicago International Quilt Festival Thursday – Saturday

Its that wonderful time of the year where the quilt show comes to Chicago. If you plan to see the show (March 28-30, 2019) please check out the Open Studio instructors. I will be there each day with something new. Please stop by and say hi.

Festival will have educational opportunities for free on the show floor including our popular Open Studios™ and the new Learning Lounge in lieu of traditional classes and a class catalog.

Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, located at 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont, Illinois 60018.

Show hours are 10 am-5 pm

Admission are $10 adult daily, $8 seniors 65+/students/military and $25 full show pass Children 10 and under free.

Education

No Measuring Borders Tutorial

If you want better borders, so they are not flopping in the wind or somehow out of wack, but really hate math and measuring, this is for you. This is the method I have used since I started quilting and still use today. It works for me, give it try and you won’t be disappointed. Any questions, or unsure of any step, PLEASE contact me. I want you to have fun while making a better quilt!

Make sure your quilt top is nicely pressed.

Find center of the quilt top. Do this by folding the ends and marking middles with a pin, iron tap the center, or use a chalk mark.

Cut border fabric for the first two sides you will be applying. Make sure you go longer than your quilt top.

Line up border fabric on the top of each other, and find the centers of these pieces in the same manner. Mark them.

Match the center points of the border with the center of the quilt, pin them together well.

Gently, without pulling, lay the border strips down the middle of the quilt, keeping them all in line. Mark borders with pin, chalk or finger press where the borders meet the end of the quilt.

Trim your borders where marked.

Find the centers of borders by folding in half and iron press center ,this will help with registration marks.

Match centers of borders with center marks on ends of quilt, (PIN) right side together on top of quilt.

Match ends of borders to end of quilt making sure you have 90 degree angle in corners and pin.

Pin more of the borders on the side making sure they will not shift in sewing. Add more pins to hold border as you sew. Ease in any fabric (if needed) between already pinned points. Now Sew! Do not sew over the pins.

Now that you have your two borders applied, press.

Now find the center again and mark.

Again, find your center on the borders to match to your center on the quilt top. Gently bring across the quilt. Mark the ends where they meet the end of your quilt top and trim.

Find your centers again and pin in the same manner as you did the others. (if quilt is large, fold into quarters for borders and quilt) this will help with registration marks.

Finished, square and no trimming needed.

General Information Quilting

Thank You & Now For The Fun

Now for some FUN!

Some of you have come by and saw my presentation in Open Studio 2017, also so my Giant…16 inch wooden needle with a notch to hang on a wall. I was so pleased to have so many people interested, and all the wonderful questions.

So….. what I would like to do, is anyone who follows me, will have a chance to own the wonderful Needle. I will randomly chose one person on April 30th!

Will it be you?

General Information Quilting · Modern Quilting

Quiltcon 2015 – Celebration and Winners

Quiltcon 2015 in Austin, Texas was a great celebration of modern quilting. Look below for prior postings with images from the other categories.

Quiltcon 2015 - Best Of Show

Quiltcon 2015 – Best of Show

i Quilt by Kathy York
Austin, Texas, Austin MQG
Pieced & Quilted by: Kathy York

Quiltcon 2015 Improvisation - Face #1 by Melissa Averinos Individual MQG

Judge’s Choice, Janine Vangool

Face #1 by Melissa Averinos
West Barnstable, Massachusetts, Individual MQG Member
Pieced & Quilted by: Melissa Averinos Quilted by: Melissa Averinos & Suzanne Whiteside

Quiltcon 2015 - Bias Tape Challenge

First Place, Bias Tape Quilting Challenge

CPU by Katherine Jones
Chigwell, Tasmania, Australia, Tasmania, Australia MQG
Pieced & Quilted by: Katherine Jones

Quiltcon 2015 - Best Machine Quilting

First Place, Best Machine Quilting

Diving Geese by Katie Pedersen
Seattle, Washington, Seattle MQG
Pieced by: Katie Pedersen Quilted by: Krista Withers

Quiltcon 2015 - Quilting Excellence

2015 Coats Award of Quilting Excellence

Coral Reef by Marla Varner
Sequim, Washington, Bainbridge Island MQG
Pieced & Quilted by: Marla Varner

Quiltcon 2015 - Applique

First Place, Appliqué

Anniversary Quilt by Katrina Hertzer
Calgary, AB, Canada, Calgary MQG
Pieced & Quilted by: Katrina Hertzer

Quiltcon 2015 Improvisation - The Rabbit Hole by Nydia Kehnie Individual MQG

First Place, Improvisation

The Rabbit Hole by Nydia Kehnle
Monroe, New York, Individual MQG Member
Pieced & Quilted by: Nydia Kehnle

Quiltcon 2015 Improvisation - For Tonya by Emily Coffey Ashville MQG

Judge’s Choice, Stevii Graves

For Tanya by Emily & Miriam Coffey
Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, MQG of Asheville
Pieced & Quilted by: Miriam Coffey

Quiltcon 2015 - Handwork

First Place, Handwork

Fuzhou Fujian by Patricia Lutteral
Martinez, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Individual MQG Member
Pieced & Quilted by: Patricia Lutteral

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

First Place, Modern Traditionalism

Long Island Modern Sampler by Kim Soper
Centerport, New York Individual MQG Member
Pieced & Quilted by: Kim Soper

Quiltcon 2015 - Small Quilt

First Place, Small Quilts

What’s the frequency, love? by Sheri Cifaldi-Morrill
Woodbridge, Connecticut, Southern Connecticut MQG
Pieced & Quitled by: Sheri Cifaldi-Morrill

Quilcon 2015 Minimalist - Breath by Leanne Chahley Edmonton MQG

First Place, Minimalist Design

Breathe by Leanne Chahley
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Edmonton MQG
Pieced & Quilted by: Leanne Chahley

Quiltcon 2015 - Group Or Bee Quilts

First Place, Group or Bee Quilts

Playing with Little Bits created by participants of Mid-Atlantic MOD 2014
Columbia, Maryland, Baltimore MQG
Pieced by: Rose Daley, Anna Levengood, Jill Stafford, Jessica Skultety, Jessica Levitt, Robin Tillsworth, Rachel Singh, and Elizabeth Timmons Quilted by: Rose Daley

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Flight Path by Mary Menzer Virginia Beach MQG

First Place, Piecing

Flight Path by Mary Menzer
Virginia Beach, Virginia, Virginia Beach MQG
Pieced & Quilted by: Mary Menzer

Quiltcon 2015 - Use Of Negative Space

First Place, Use of Negative Space

Blackbird Fly by Krista Hennebury
North Vancouver, BC, Canada, Vancouver MQG
Pieced & Quilted by: Krista Hennebury

*Sorry, no image of 7 Up by Debra Jalbert

First Place, Michael Miller Fabric Challenge

7 Up by Debra Jalbert
Clermont, Florida, Orlando MQG
Pieced & Quilted by: Debra Jalbert

Quiltcon 2015 - Youth

First Place, Youth and Judge’s Choice, Carolyn Friedlander

Rainbow Magic by Mollie McMahon
Sutton, NSW, Australia, Canberra MQG
Pieced by: Mollie McMahon Quilted by: Mollie McMahon & Jules McMahon

Quiltcon 2015 - People Choice Award

People’s Choice Award at Quilt Con 2015 went to “A Quilt for Our Bed” by Laura Hartrich and quilted by Nikki Maroon.

Modern Quilting

Quiltcon 2015 – Modern Traditionalism

Modern Traditionalism – Quilt design incorporates the use of an identifiable traditional block pattern and modernizes it by applying design elements such as alternate grid work, asymmetry, color, scale, etc.

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

Third Place Refresh by Anna Boenish

Seattle, Washington, Seattle MQG
Pieced & Quilted by: Anna Boenish

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

Second Place Deconstructed LoneStar by Amy Struckmeyer

Oak Park, Illinois, Chicago MQG
Pieced & Quilted by: Amy Struckmeyer

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

First Place Long Island Modern Sampler by Kim Soper

Centerport, New York, Individual MQG Member
Pieced & Quilted by: Kim Soper

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

 

Half Square Triangles by Tara Faughnan
Individual Member, Oakland, California

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

 

Grand Pineapple- Dichotomy by Allison Lee
Triangle MQG (North Carolina) (right)

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

 

Sunset by Corinne Sovey
Austin MQG

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

Quiltcon 2015 - Modern Traditionalism

Modern Quilting

Quiltcon 2015 – Piecing

Piecing – Quilts that are machine pieced and reflect a particularly strong or innovative use of piecing.

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Flight Path by Mary Menzer Virginia Beach MQG

First Place Flight Path by Mary Menzer

Virginia Beach, Virginia, Virginia Beach MQG
Pieced & Quilted by: Mary Menzer

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Little Brother by Stacey Murton Vancouver MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Fresh Pack by Dorie Schwarz Ann Arbor MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Fractured Triangles by Paula Leber Kansas City MQG

 

 

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Mercury by Jodi Vancouver MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Holy Sh*t Sherlock by Kristy Daum St Louis MQG

 

Holy Sh*t Sherlock by Kristy Daum
St Louis MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Bauble by Emily Cier Seattle MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Facets by Liz Harvatine Los Angeles MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Barn Remnant by Kim Eichier Messmer Kansas City MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Squaring The Circle by Jo Avery Edinburgh MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Dear Gunta by Carrie Strine Individual MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Fractal Kaleidoscope by Katie Larson Kansas City MQG

 

Fractal Kaleidoscope by Katie Larson
Kansas City MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Off Kilter by Melissa Carry Individual MQG

 

Off Kilter by Melissa Corry
Individual Member, Utah

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Gaggle Of Geese by Janice Ryan Los Angeles MQG

 

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Lemonade by Susan Strong Individual MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Flame by Rebecca Bryan Houston MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Bear Face by Jenna Richardson Santa Barbara MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Tangelo by Shannon Page Dallas MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Feathers by Shannon Page Dallas MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Teal Sunshine by Matthew Wheeler Vancouver MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Starfall II by Faith Jones Individual MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Celing Tiles by Amy Gamo Indianapolis MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - W Los Angeles MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - City Center by Angie Henderson St Louis MQG

 

City Center by Angie Henderson
St Louis MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Anni Albers Orange Chair by Martha Peterson Seattle MQG

 

Annie Albers’ Orange Chair by Martha Peterson
Seattle MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Modern Migration by Sue Bouchard San Diego MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Moccasin by Anne Marie Chany Individual MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Triangles Quilt by Tara Faughnan Individual MQG

 

Triangles Quilt by Tara Faughnan
Individual Member, California

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Indie by Phoebe Harrell Charleston MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Icy Water by Amy Garro Indianapolis MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - gRadient by Elizabeth Balderiama Individual MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Blue Circle Quilt by Kim Eichier Messmer Kansas City MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Disruption by Barbara Lockwood Individual MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Carnival by Melody Baker Kansas City MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Huckleberry by Rebecca Bryan Houston MQG and And The Moon At Night by Colleen Molen Silicon Valley MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Tess  Individual MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Happy by Carrie W Austin MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Cascade Quilt by Kristin Schroeder Individual MQG and The Power Of Three by Kristin Shields Central Oregon MQG

 

Cascade Quilt by Kristi Schroeder
Individual Member, Texas (left)

The Power of Three by Kristin Shields
Central Oregon MQG (right)

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - 48 by Christa Watson Individual MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Knit Snippet by Lofje Meijknecht Individual MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Sam And Suzy by Megan Callahan Portland MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Capsule by Jen Carlton Bailly Portland MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Aura Blue by David Kansas City MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Phased Circles by Michelle Wilkie Triangle MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Peace by Leanne Chahley Edmonton MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Road To Pasadena by Kendra Nitta Los Angeles MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - The Mona Lisa by Rowena Bayliss Individual MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Fish Tails by Kristen Balou Seattle MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Profits & Losses by Gina Pina Austin MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Texas Forever by Corrine Sovey Austin MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Whirling Dervish by Elizabeth Dackson Individual MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Welcome To Colorful Colorado by Katie Larson Kansas City MQG

 

Welcome to Colorful Colorado by Katie Larson
Kansas City MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Starry Eyed by Caroline Fairbanks Crichfield Individual MQG and Iceberg by Crystal McGann Canberra MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Emergent by Kari Vojtechovsky Individual MQG

Third Place Emergent by Kari Vojtechovsky

Centennial, Colorado, Individual MQG Member
Pieced & Quilted by: Kari Vojtechovsky

Quiltcon 2015 Piecing - Balancing Act by Amanda Hohnstreiter Austin MQG

Second Place Balancing Act by Amanda Hohnstreiter

Thorndale, Texas, Austin MQG
Pieced & Quilted by: Amanda Hohnstreiter

Modern Quilting

Quiltcon 2015 – Negative Space

Use of Negative Space – Quilt design incorporates a creative or significant use of negative space which is integrated into and/or organizes the composition of the quilt.

Quiltcon 2015 Use Of Negative Space -

Quiltcon 2015 Use Of Negative Space - Chandelier by Lee Heinrich Individual MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Use Of Negative Space - Transmission by Phoebe Harrel Charleston MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Use Of Negative Space - Comma Comet by Janet Garman Houston MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Use Of Negative Space - Equalizer by Cheryl Atkinson Calgary MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Use Of Negative Space - Paint Chip by Sarah Lowry Triangle MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Use Of Negative Space - Blocked In by Elizabeth Dickson and Diamond Chains by Charlotte Noll Individual MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Use Of Negative Space - Fallout by Michelle Lieberson Southern Connecticut MQG and Linen Log Cabin by Barbara Perrine Individual MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Use Of Negative Space - Haberdashery by Amy Friend Seacoast MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Use Of Negative Space - Redirected by Hollie Labosky Los Angeles MQG

 

Letting Go by Andrew Steinbrecher
Individual Member, Ohio (on left)

Quiltcon 2015 Use Of Negative Space -

Quiltcon 2015 Use Of Negative Space - My Way by Pamela Rocco South Bay Area MQG and Tuning Fork #12 by Heather Pregger Fort Worth MQG

 

My Way by Pamela Rocco
South Bay Area MQG (California) (left)

Tuning Fork #12 by Heather Pregger
Fort Worth MQG (right)

Quiltcon 2015 Use Of Negative Space - Lowcountry Sunset by Kimberely McPeske Charleston MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Use Of Negative Space - Somewhat Herringbone by Dorie Scwartz Ann Arbor MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Use Of Negative Space - Peek by Melanie Tucizon North Jersey MQG

 

Peek by Melanie Tuazon
North Jersey MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Use Of Negative Space - Mod Hex 2 by Jen Sorenson Boston MQG and Pike's Peak by Cheryl Dickey Individual MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Use Of Negative Space - Star'd by Kristy Daum St Louis MQG

Quiltcon 2015 Use Of Negative Space

Quiltcon 2015 - Use Of Negative Space

 

Cycles 2 by Leanne Chahley
Edmonton MQG

Quiltcon 2015 - Use Of Negative Space

Quiltcon 2015 - Use Of Negative Space

Quiltcon 2015 - Use Of Negative Space

Third Place Read Between the Lines by Stephanie Ruyle

Denver, Colorado, Front Range MQG, Denver Metro MQG
Pieced & Quilted by: Stephanie Ruyle

Quiltcon 2015 - Use Of Negative Space

Second Place Color Play by Kari Vojtechovsky

Centennial, Colorado, Individual MQG Member
Pieced & Quilted by: Kari Vojtechovsky

Quiltcon 2015 - Use Of Negative Space

First Place Blackbird Fly by Krista Hennebury

North Vancouver, BC, Canada, Vancouver MQG
Pieced & Quilted by: Krista Hennebury