Starting a New Project: Tea Leaves

Sometimes I take a quilt class to learn a new technique.

Sometimes I take a quilt class for something to do.

Sometimes I take a quilt class, because I like the quilt, and I wanna make it.

And sometimes, I take a quilt class purely to socialze.

Sometimes I don't want to take a quilt class, because I don't want to start a new project with so many UFOs to finish up.  And sometimes I just feel like I've finished a few, so who cares?!

And sometimes when I take a quilt class, it's for a little of all the above, as was the case this past weekend.

And in this case, it unexpectedly filled my soul.

Buffie was teaching a class for a quilt called Tea Leaves up in Grand Rapids at The Attic Window (well, technically, the shop's in Alpine).  Caroll had written a post about it on her blog.  I liked the quilt, but I really missed Caroll.  I haven't seen her for a while, and I just wanted to get together with her.  And I really like Buffie, too.  So I went.  Pretty much for the social aspect.  I already knew the applique technique Buffie was teaching.  But, Buffie is an amazing scrap quilter with an amazing eye for color and design.  (She is the one who ran the bee that Sweet Pea and I went to, where Sweet Pea created this amazing block.)  So, I was confident that I'd have a good time and that Buffie would teach me something new.  In the photo above, Buffie is teaching us about gradating our colors for the background (top row of her design board), the importance of value contrast for this quilt (middle row), and other design options (the rest of it).  I definitely learned something.  As always.  Buffie is a delightful teacher.

Here is Buffie's completed quilt.  It's quite delightful, if you ask me.  I like the muted tones and low contrast quite a bit.  She took inspiration from the book More Quilts from the Quiltmaker's Gift (it's out of print now, but I looked on Amazon and could find used copies).

We are using the freezer paper and starch method to prepare our applique pieces.  I like this method.  I tried to find a tutorial for you on this online.  I didn't see one immediately.  Maybe I should write one....  I've been meaning to for Terri anyway.

Buffie uses a blind hem stitch to sew the shapes onto her background fabrics.  She used this tan Aurifil thread to sew them all down.  I took this close up photo so you could see it.  I had to really hunt for one leaf where you could see her stitching.  The thread blended in so well with every color in this quilt!  It was pretty amazing.  You can also use monofiliment thread to do this.  And you could use a number of other stitches (zig zag, blanket stitch) as well.

I could have stared at the fabrics in her quilt all day long. That's the thing about scrap quilts.  It's so interesting to see how all the different fabrics work together, even fabrics you'd never think to put together (did you see some Kaffe fabric in the photo above this one?...and here there is a mixture of florals, civil wars, batiques....).

You see?  I couldn't stop looking at it!

In addition to the wonderful instruction and tips we received, I just had a wonderful time talking with Caroll (in the jeans and pink sweater), Buffie, Adrienne, Leanne, Rosa, and all the other wonderful women who were there.  We had such a hoot of a time!  Lots of gabbing and solving all the world's problems that day.  And lots of sarcasm, good wit, and just plain fun.  I tell you, I still feel happy thinking about the day.  It was one of the best sewing days I've had in a while.  Seeing and talking to Caroll again just made my day.  I needed it!

Although I LOVE Buffie's quilt, for some reason I have got a burr under my saddle to make a Christmas quilt.  And a quilt that pretty much screams Christmas.  So, I've started cutting up these.

Caroll was going to do all 1930's prints.  But, she decided to dig through her scraps and find scraps that would go with the 1930's prints to give it even more punch.  Here's her yellow pile.  She also did a blue pile while we were there.  I think it's going to be great.

Adrienne is using all these oriental fabrics for her leaves and using the same background throughout.  She's going to make another one, too....a subtle one like Buffie's.  (Incidentally, I really enjoyed Adrienne's company.  She also wants to start a Modern Quilt Guild in the area.  I think Adreienne and I worked out some details to actually get things moving on that front.  More information coming!)

Leanne's pink batiks on dark backgrounds were so striking and beautiful!

I LOVE batiks.  These were just calling my name.  Aren't they beautiful???

I have forgotten whose these were, but they are beautiful, too.  I love that brown, blue, and green fabric!

I have forgotten whose these are, too, but also quite pretty!  Remniscient of Thimbleberries or Kansas Troubles to me....

And I can't leave you without showing you some odds and ends from the day.  Buffie has this amazing box she carries around with her all the time.  It's her scrap sewing basket.  Isn't it amazing?  It is so well stocked and easily portable!

And this little pillow that Caroll had made as a store sample was so adorable.  There was a cute wall hanging she had made, too.  However, the shop owner had taken it to a quilt show somewhere for her booth, so I didn't get to see it in person.  But it is from the same book as this pillow (Applique with Attitude).  I liked the wall hanging so much, I had planned to buy this book while I was there.  Well, the shop owner had also taken all the books to the show.  DRAT!  So, I got online, ordered it from Amazon via my phone.  AND IT SHOWED UP ON MY DOORSTEP TODAY (Monday)!  Amazon is so amazing.

And Buffie never fails to bring an amazing Show and Tell.  Look at this one she just finished piecing!  It is made all from her scraps.  It is gorgeous!  It is called Eldon and the pattern is from Edyta Sitar.

True confession time....I bought this pattern last year when I was at my quilt retreat, along with a fabric kit for it.  I got the kit, because it gave me lots of variety of fabrics in small amounts (so it will look scrappy).  I am going to make it for Papa Pea's and my bed.  (He's been nagging me that our bed is the only one without a quilt on it in the entire house.  For shame.)  I started cutting it out.  The shop where I got it cut the cream background fabrics so close to the required amount that by the time I squared up the edges, there was not enough.  Sigh.  So, I added some more of my own fabrics.

But I'm quite intimidated to start sewing it up.  It says it is for the "Advanced" quilter.  Um.  Hello.  I don't count myself in that camp.  I didn't realize that when I bought the pattern (but I should have known).  So, I'm scared to start sewing.

Our guild retreat is in a couple of weeks.  I'm trying to decide if I'll take this with me and start sewing on it.  If I do, I better take a back-up project.  This one might require too much concentration for a retreat....

Anyway, thanks to Caroll, Buffie, and all the gals in the class for helping to fill my soul this past weekend.  I'm still running on that steam today!  It was great, and I appreciate it!

Well, better get back to work.  Hope you're having a good Monday!

Until next time,

Comments

[Lynn]

I'm so glad you got to refuel over the weekend! I was able to get a good start on the embroidery for my Which Witch's Boot over the weekend. Now I'm having trouble putting it down!

What a great quilt that is going to be when you are finished. I like the starch applique method too. I used it for my Modern Monday block I posted today. I thought about taking pictures of the process for a tutorial, but didn't. Looks like the block this week is also applique so maybe I'll take pictures this time.

I vote you go ahead and start on the "advanced" piecing quilt. If you aren't an advanced quilter now, you will be by the time you get that one done! If you are like me, if it's too perfect you won't want to use it on your bed anyway. Go for it!!

[Terri]

You? Not an advanced quilter?! *snort*

[Michelle]

I laughed when I read Terri's comment...not an advanced quilter??? I've seen your work...truly amazing!!! So glad you had the opportunity for good friends and quilty fun ;-)

[Linda in Calif.]

I agree you should start the quilt. I think of "advance" as "careful" - just be careful to sew that 1/4 seam or scant 1/4 and careful with your ironing. You can do it, and it will be great. I love the points on your applique. See what nice work you do? I finally had an opportunity to look through one of Edyta's book. I so love her patterns.

[carolld]

I agree with Michelle! You are a fantastic quilter. Love this post. Great pictures and we did have such fun. I can't thank you enough for coming up to GR and making my day! I needed some good R&R and you did that for me! Took my mind off all my worries. Thank you dear friend!

[Jana]

That looks like such a fun day. And I think the Lizzie B girls have a similar method. Check out their site.

[Allie]

I'm so jealous, girl! One day I'll get to come sew with you guys. Love that quilt....hon, I think you should jump right into making that quilt, you're a superb quilter and you'll do just fine. Accept the challenge girl!

[Deb]

Really loved reading about your fun class!! Love the Tea Leaves project you're starting and esp that's it's Christmas-y. And the last photo of the Eldon quilt is simply amazing! Sounds like your day was just great! Wish I could have been there!

[Shelly]

You are so funny. Of course you are advanced -- you design stuff, for Heaven's sake! I'm so glad you got a fun sewing day and got to do something just for you. I'm ready for that . . . no time right now.

[Donna]

You are an advanced quilter! I love to be around other quilters for inspiration. I adore batiks too. Eldon is gorgeous!!
Hugs,
Donna

[ur]

Your new applique project is going to be so great!

[jenclair]

Love your description of such a good day! Sounds like such a fun atmosphere--learning laughing--great combination.

Eldon will be a beautiful addition to your bedroom!

[Teresa]

I love reading about your day and this quilt! I have the book but the template is supposed to be on page 143 and it is not! Did Buffie say where to get the template? Thanks

[Ivy]

Are you thinking of something like this? http://snippetsofaquilter.blogspot.com/2007/08/applique-method.html Or this? http://www.lizziebcre8ive.com/applique.asp

Anyway, I agree. I hate those labels. They intimidate me. At least when they say Challenging or Advanced. I say, do it anyway! You can do it! You're Mama Pea! :)

[Thimbleanna]

Wow! Sounds like a great class! I can't wait to see your version. I need to go take a color class -- I have the worst time with it and that's what causes my analysis paralysis!

[Deb]

What a fun class and great quilt. I REALLY like the Eldon quilt (Edyta does the best patterns) and just pretend like you didn't read the "advanced" quilter part. Sometimes I find them easier to do than the "beginner" quilts. Besides - you are definitely an advanced quilter!

[Sandy (aka Stitches)]

It looks like you got a lot of "girl" time in with that outing. Thanks for all the pictures, very inspiring..