Art & Stitch: Designing a Series

As part of my ongoing practice after attending Theo & Loes van der Heyden’s Art & Stitch  workshop, I decided to show you how I drew a doodle and turned it into a series or quilting designs for my quilts.  If you are interested in learning how to do this, be sure to sign up for Theo and Loes workshop, too.

Let’s start with a doodle:

copyright 2013 Carla Barrett

Then you combined 2 blocks to make this design:

copyright 2013 Carla Barrett

Notice there is a cute little critter that emerged once the blocks combined?  I love the randomness of finding surprises like this.  Next, we will combine 2 triangles to make a block design:

copyright 2013 Carla Barrett

Now add 3 more blocks to create a large block design:

copyright 2013 Carla Barrett

We are just getting started!  Let’s make a border design to match the other blocks:

copyright 2013 Carla Barrett

How about a wreath where the critters are looking inward:

copyright 2013 Carla Barrett

Or, critters looking outward:

copyright 2013 Carla Barrett

In order for this design to stitch out without jump stitches, all I needed to do is add a transition design:

copyright 2013 Carla Barrett

Can you tell I am having fun?   By the way, my Birdy Designs are for a future post….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feather Practice- Part 7

Today, I present the Feather Practice Series, Part 7.  This quilting feather handout shows you four different ways to feather an inset triangle space on a quilt top.  Any of these feathers, quilted in all the inset triangles on a quilt top, will flow visually from triangle to triangle.  It will also draw the eye around the quilt and provide some beautiful texture, too.

featherpracticehandout7 (pdf)  (Right click to download.  You will need a PDF reader)

Feather Practice 7.1 by Carla Barrett

Above are 4 different variations of my inset triangle feathers.  Below is the 2nd page, which is where you will practice drawing on:

Feather Practice handout by Carla Barrett

Note, too, that you can just feather the outer side of the spine for a different look.

quilting example by Carla Barrett

You may also decide to fill the blank space with curved cross-hatching or other fill, too, like I have drawn below:

feather example by Carla Barrett

Hope you are enjoying my Feather Practice Series!  I have enjoyed all the quilters who have taken the time to comment, contact me via email or tell me they are loving it.  I appreciate your kind words!  In case you missed an earlier Feather Practice, here are the links:

Feather Practice- Part 1,   Feather Practice- Part 2,  Feather Practice- Part 3,  Feather Practice- Part 4,  Feather Practice- Part 5, and  Feather Practice- Part 6

Have fun PPP- which means Practice, Practice, Practice!    Now go forth and feather!   Carla

New Cartoon

Have been in a drawing mood of late- and I decided that I had to draw up this cartoon to express the feeling behind why quilters quilt:

cartoon by Carla Barrett

Does anyone relate to this sentiment? 

Hugs from Carla

Tablet Class Registration Begins on 3/15/2012

I thought I would mention that registration for my April Tablet Online Class starts this coming Thursday at 9:00 am PST.

For those of you wanting more information including a class description, please click HERE.

The class is being held at StepOnPins.com.  Demand is expected to be high for this class.  Not sure if you own the right tablet for this course?  Click the class description link in the above paragraph.

Remember, as always, classes at StepOnPins.com are unique with live webinar meetings, video lessons with handouts, Creative Exercises, interactive forum and more!  Students also are given an extra 6 months (once the 3 weeks end) of access to the course to finish or review at their leisure.  Classes are self paced and intended for busy people to fit into their lives.

Any questions?  Please leave me a question in the comment section.  I look forward to seeing you in class!

New “Classes” tag

If you look above my Blog Title art, you will see a new tag labeled “Classes.”

I added the new “Classes” tag today to update blog readers, and also potential students who are interested in my upcoming Fall online class, “Quilt Whisperer” and/or the next class in the Quilt Whisperer series: “High Tech Designing for Quilters.”  Students who want to be notified of any future classes may also leave a comment there and I will add you to my list.

When I set the date(s) for both classes, I will also give you more info about how to sign up and pay, class supply list, and other basic information about taking a class online.

Keep watching for more info!!  Carla

Quilt Whispering Time!

Hello,  today I decided to share how I quilt whispered a quilt as a raffle prize donation.  The winner is Margo Clabo, who created this delightful 2010 Block-of-the-Month quilt as a new colorway for The Quilt Show.  The designer of the quilt is  Sue Garman.

First the picture of the quilt top, then the next picture is of my design suggestions for Margo.

The Quilt Whispering:

I think I like this block design best with the hearts:

You could also alternate the designs for added interest.

This is how I would Quilt Whisper it, anyhow.

Before I go, I wanted to thank you all for your lovely comments left yesterday with the post about the completed Guild Quilt I finished.  Such wonderful complements- and I didn’t need to bribe you either.  LOL

Here is my thought for today:  Do something NICE for yourself!  You really do deserve it!

Take care, Carla