Beat the Blues
Need to Beat the Blues? Winter is over and spring is here. Well, maybe. Depending on where you live it may not feel a lot like spring yet. It was actually warmer in February, here in Nebraska, than it has been lately. Not to mention the dreary gloomy days we have been having lately. The East coast is still getting snow. Yuck! Not only am I ready for a real spring, but I’m in desperate need of a recharge.
You always start out the new year with the best of intentions. However, at least for me, 3-4 months in, that drive is definitely starting to wane. So in keeping with my last post, I have designed a block of the week quilt. Every week I will send out an email with instructions to make a different block.
I designed this quilt to bring on the sun. Spring flowers bloom in the center and at each of the corners. The “sun” shines down on each corner flower, and log cabin blocks provide the green “grass” for them to grow. We will use a variety of techniques from standard quilting templates, to paper piecing and even a little applique thrown in. Whether you are a beginner or and advanced quilt maker, you will find something to enjoy in this quilt. In addition to the complete block instructions each week, I will include some fun instructional videos to help pass on some tips and tricks I have learned over the years.
I will also be throwing in some easy, tasty, healthy recipes and some ideas to get more active every week to help us get back on track and motivated. Keep an eye on Facebook too, as I have a few challenges and giveaways planned over the course of the next 6-8 weeks. Hope you have as much fun making this quilt as I did designing it and that it helps Beat the Blues.
PS. This is also a great quilt for whittling down your stash!
Textile experiences rich in the French tradition abound in this tour. From visits to specialty shops to attendance at Quiltmania’s Pour l’Amour du Fil show, you are surrounded by vibrant fibers, fabric printing history, and French culture. cart
The trip begins with a visit to Claude Monet’s amazing garden and home in Giverny, then, it’s on to a half-day walking tour with a local textile artist to discover textile shops that are hidden treasures.
In Avignon, there is ample time to explore the captivating villages and towns of the beautiful region of Provence with outings to beloved markets and the opportunity to tour The Quilt House La Maison du Boutisuse, (a quilt and costume museum in the charming village of Calvisson). In Lyon, visit the Textile Museum and become immersed in 2,000 years of textile history. cart
The trip concludes with the Quiltmania’s Pour l’Amour du Fil quilt show in Nantes, one of Europe’s most prestigious fiber events, with an impressive gallery of artwork and international vendors offering the latest wares. Following the show, we return to Paris for a farewell dinner before departing for home.
Land tour price per person based on twin occupancy $5485, single supplement $1370 cart
I decided recently that it had been too long since I made something for myself and that I would make a quilted garment. Ever since the show MQS ended, I’ve had trouble motivating myself.
I’m a person who really needs deadlines, and MQS provided that. They were one of the few shows that let you enter an unfinished quilt. Now by unfinished I’m sure they meant mostly done, but the rules didn’t actually specify this.
I’m not admitting anything here, but they may or may not have received entries over the years that included a picture of a pile of fabric and a note that said “I think it’s going to look like this.”
The entry deadline was always the middle of March. Quilts due at the show the beginning of May. This gave me roughly six weeks to get my act in gear. I miss this.
There aren’t any quilt shows that let me get a way with this now, but there is a garment challenge. You enter the challenge and get your “challenge” fabric at time of entry.
They don’t expect you to have even started at this point. This works well for me.
This year’s fabric was a pretty blue/turquoise batik. I’d been thinking about a Stevie Nicks/Flower Power inspired coat for a while and this would work perfectly. Most of the time when I make garments I start with a commercial pattern.
Next, I alter to fit because I’m vertically challenged. This time I couldn’t find one that looked like the image in my head, so I improvised. I Frankensteined a pattern out of multiple other patterns creating additional pieces as needed.
The first step was compiling all the fabric and trims I would need. Fortunately I have a moderate (read copious) stash of these things. Needing to use a recognizable amount of the challenge fabric on the garment, I decided to make the sleeves, and the sides of the upper bodice from the challenge fabric.
I don’t like to quilt the sleeves as I feel it makes the garment to stiff and as any quilting I did was not going to show on this fabric this worked out perfectly. This should do it.
beat the blues beat the blues
beat the blues beat the blues
beat the blues beat the blues
beat the blues beat the blues
beat the blues beat the blues
when will the weekly blocks start?
I will send out the first email this Monday. It will have all the information to get started, i.e. yardage requirements, supplies, etc. Then the first block will start the following week 4/17.
the Beat the Blues blocks
I missed the email with the requirements. Where can I find that information?
Email me at kris@quilterontherun.com so I have your email and I will send it to you.
I just joined up. How far behind am I and is it possible to get the past blocks and the yardage info, please. Thank you so much. I can’t wait to get started. Have a wonderful day.
You’re fine. All you’ve missed is the prep email. The first block one just went out on Monday. I’ll resend both emails to you shortly. Thanks for joining us.
I need everything up to today.
Will do. Thanks for joining us.
Just found this love the quilt but need the info from the beginning I got the flying geese block today
Sent you all the back emails. Let me know if you don’t receive them.