Modern Scrappy Quilts in Blue and Sweet Red

        

Scrappy quilts are my favorite because you can play around easily with patterns and colors.  Most of these fabrics came from fat quarters instead of my scrap pile so it limited me in my fabric choices.  Originally, I was going to mix the blue and the red into one quilt but in the end I decided to split them into two. This is a revisited pattern for me.  I have made this quilt pattern in bright pinks before.  Instructions on how to make your own scrappy quilt, see Quiltville's tutorial.  These quilts are available in my Etsy Site.

On a final note: I have closed down the store front studio and only sell online and at Beewise Goods in Boise on State St. 

Wild West Baby Patchwork Quilt

These patchwork quilts started with a few scraps of Michael Miller cowboy fabric that were already precut from one of my previous projects.  The scrap size determined the way the baby quilts were pieced.  Scrappy patchwork quilts are a great way to use of fabric and a fun way to play with color and pattern.  You really can not go wrong.

Here is picture of placing binding on one of the baby quilts.  I like to use glue to help ensure the exact placement of my binding which always seems to be a challenge!  What about you?

The Wild West Cowgirl or Cowboy patchwork quilt is available to purchase on my Etsy website.
P.S.  My Instagram site is up and going make sure to follow Twigs and Twist there for frequent posting about sewing and quilting projects.  Also, come any enjoy daily happenings around Boise and the wonderful state of Idaho.

Simply Stitch Gatherings: Exploring the Use of Mul-tex

In our Simply Stitch Gathering Class this week, we played around with Mul-tex from C&T Publishing.  It is a white flexible bonded material that can be painted, stamped, sewn, etc.  Mul-tex is tear resistant and translucent.  The shiny side is food safe.  Here are two little needle holder samples made at the gathering.  

 

The outsides were painted with Inktense Watersoluble Ink Color pencils.  The images were drawn either free hand with Sharpie or hand stamped.  Then, the holders were stitched with sewing machine.    Inside is a piece of felt with fabric sewn to it to hold your needles.  They were fun and fast to make and would make great simple gifts.

                                                     

Extra: This art quilt has Mul-tex in it.  The deer was traced onto the Mul-tex from a photo and then colored using the Inktense water color pencils.  The traced image was then ironed on to the lower fabric using a pressing cloth.  Mul-tex is great because it naturally adheres to a surface when heated.  The deer was then top stitched.  Mul-tex does take some experimenting with to figure out all of its uses.  It does roll a bit so tape is needed to stick it down when you are painting it.  

Art Quilt - Cedar Waxwing Finished

The final steps in making the Cedar Waxwing art quilt were the hardest.  Drawing is not my strong point and thread sketching is a bit like drawing.  So, I created multiple steps to ensure a more successful outcome.  First, I traced the image of the waxwing onto a plastic sheet and made a copy of it onto white paper.

Then, I drew pencil lines on the white paper where I thought my thread sketching should be. I lined paper with interfacing and free motion quilted over the pencil lines with black thread.  I took an extra step and created a paper color copy of the waxwing and thread sketched it.  

Finally, I made the jump to the actual fabric pieced waxwing created earlier and free motion quilted  it.  Definitely, a fun process but I did have to let go and not try to be a perfectionist.  

The end result was a beautiful art quilt, my first.  I am looking forward to sharing more of these with you in the future.  

Art Quilt - Cedar Waxwing In Progress

I love art quilts!  This was my first attempt at my own.  I took a picture of this Cedar Waxwing at Morrison Knudsen Nature Center in Boise, one of my favorite places to wander when the weather is cold.  I love birds and thought the Waxwing would be perfect to use because of its beautiful color.  

This video tutorial from Interweave.com had easy to understand art quilt instructions to get me on my way.  My main supplies included batik fabrics, Mistyfuse, a silicon pressor sheet, iron, Transdoodle tracing paper and a great pair of art quilt scissors.  What fun, especially if you sat back and just enjoy the process which I did for once.  Now I am on the to the next stage where I will fuse to a backing and begin topstitching.  

Have you made an art quilt before?  What was your inspiration?  

New Fabric Arrival - Soho Collection

The Soho fabric collection by Studio 8 has a modern look that is clean and crisp.  Its main print is a grouping of dandelion flowers in various sizes.  The coordinating prints are geometric in nature and include hexagons, dots, chevron and stripes.   Its color way is based on reds, grays, and golden yellows.  

I could not wait to get stitching with it.  I recently brought interfacing into the shop that helps you create the Rob Pete quilting pattern.  This was a new experience for me.  You use the interfacing to help you create the "petals" that you appliqué onto a base fabric.  A book from Quilting Smart, Rob Pete & Friends, has great how to instructions and patterns.  There is enough interfacing in the book to make one table runner.  If making one of their large projects, you will need more interfacing.

The interfacing was easy to use and took a small amount of practice to get the placement on the base fabric just right.  I would recommend starting with a small pattern first such a pillow or table runner before diving into a large quilt.  The runner turned out beautifully, just enough red for Valentine's day and just enough yellow to give a hint of spring!

What would you create the Soho fabric?

Our Sew Mama Sew Give Away - Fabric!

Fabric Give Away

We are giving a fabulous fat quarter bundle pack from Quilting Treasures.

This pack includes 6 fat quarter the Lief! Lifestyle, Sweet Life Collection.

It is modern with a clean look with in pretty colors of pink, blue and white. 

Our giveaway is open worldwide.  Both US and International entries accepted. 

Our entry deadline is on December 13th at 5 p.m. PST. We will announce who the random winner is by Sunday, December 15th.

To enter:

1.  You need to leave a comment on this post letting us know what is your favorite color of thread.
2. To get a bonus entry, follow our blog on Bloglovin'.  Make sure to leave a comment letting us know you signed up.

The lucky winner will be randomly chosen from entries.

Thank you so much for stopping by. Happy Sewing!

 Go to Sew Mama Sew to participate in further Giveaways.

Idaho Barn Owl

Caught this guy on a fence will hiking!  An art quilt waiting to happen.

The Joy of Summer

A Simply Stitch Gathering Creation

Photos from above:  

New Parson Gray Fabric 

 July's Simply Stitch - Sashiko Purse Project

Joy of Summer Fawn Collage

Artful Fiber Project Bag

October's Simply Stitch - Foundation Piecing

More on the Joy of Summer:  The little fawn became the inspiration for August's Simply Stitch fabric painting project. I was able to capture several photos of her and transferred one of them onto MulTex paper which is included the new Artful Fiber package from C & T Publishing. The fawn's image was water colored in using. I pieced, stitched and embellished her image using several pieces of fabric, both hand dyed and printed, to form my mixed media collage, The Joy of Summer, creating a beautiful memory of a point in time in the lovely Summer of 2013.

New Fabric Arrivals - Birds, Boats, and Boots

Creative new fabrics have just arrived from Quilting Treasures, 

all perfect for your new sewing project!

 

Melody from Madeline Floyd

Simply Sweet from Lief! Lifestyle

Emerson Skirt - easy sew for beginner

Giddy Up Cowgirl 

All available in our retail shop in Old Boise or at Twigs and Twist on Etsy.

Summer Rain - Simply Stitch

Coming Soon --- Simply Stitch

Simply Stitch is an informal gathering of people who love to sew.  Each month we will focus on a new topic.  In July, we will delve into the world of embroidery.  Bring your own or purchase a kit from us.  First gathering is on July 10th from 11:30- 1 pm.  We would love to see you!  Pin cushion sewn in honor of all the rain we received in Idaho on the first days of summer.

Take a look at these fun curtains sewn by Gail from PillowsbyMadCentMod using our Mad Mod fabric!

                                                 

Inspirations and Happenings

New Fabric from Quilting Treasures - Mad Mod on Etsy

Music Bag by Twigs and Twist- Michael Miller Fabric Vintage Birds

My favorite colors at Twigs and Twist - Yellow and Taupe

Pendleton Woolen Mills Outlet Oregon - visited while at Quilt Market

Flying Geese and Recycled Jeans Pillow by Twigs and Twist 

Majestic Idaho on Pinterest

Foundation Piecing - My Little Chickadee

I simply had fun sewing Twigs and Twist's Wonky Birdhouse Pillow Cover which entailed abstract piecing of strips around a central design.  This got me hooked.  I enjoy looking at fabrics that are stitched in a pictorial form.  This lead me to formal foundation piecing.  Of course, I had to come up with my own pattern.  Inspired by a incredible Pinterest pin by Sandy, I designed this little bird.  I modeled it in the form of a chickadee,which is one of my favorite birds, in a nest .  It is not perfect, but I enjoyed the creative process and I now have a coffee mug mini quilt.

Click Here: To see Twigs and Twist Pinterest Board

Evening Light in Studio

I was at the studio in the evening and the sunlight really made the fabric colors stand out.  I thought you might enjoy the view.

I love that Spring has arrived and the days are longer!

Let It Rain Fabric Makes You Want to Sing

This new fabric is from Quilting Treasures and designed by Simon + Kabuki.  It is fun with bright colors just in time for a spring party.  So, I whipped up a table runner using the fabric with a few extra pieces of other  fabrics from the studio.  Wouldn't napkins and a banner really compliment the runner?  Or, even a pillow in the form of a cloud using the blue or white raindrop print for that special touch?  Get out the bubbles.

Let It Rain Fabric is currently available at our Etsy website.