I took a fantastic class with Lisa H. Calle this Saturday. My local guild, Rebecca’s Reel Quilters, hosted Lisa’s Divide and Design class.
This was the same class I took with her at MQX, but it included sewing this time. We started out the same way – sketching on a photo of a quilt. This is the drawing I did this time.
We just did the dividing lines on this one, then we went on to sketch an idea for the sample top we prepped.
These are the lines I came up with. I always start with a star shape – I need to come up with some more interesting approaches.
One of the aspects of the class was learning to use rulers on our domestic machines. I was not able to bring myself to invest in the ruler foot for my Bernina. There is just no way I will be working on my rulers skills on the domestic machine, when I have already got decent skills on the longarm. Also, those feet aren’t free!
I marked my quilt top extensively, although not as accurately as I could have. I didn’t notice what a crap job I had done until I was doing the fills. Oh, well.
I was able to finish all of my quilting during class. I took a little bit of teasing over it, but it was a 13″ square to start. What kind of professional quilter would I be if I couldn’t finish a mini quilt in one day?
When I got home, I sprayed it thoroughly with water to erase my markings. Then I looked up how to do a flange binding. I had seen a bunch of them at the Berks Quilters Guild earlier in the week.
Flanged binding, it turns out, is easy and fun! I found a great tutorial on Sew Fresh Quilts.
The fabric I used is from my Adorn-it Ambassador box. I used the fantastic yellow that I am obsessed with, along with some white from my stash. It might be Kona, it might be bleached muslin. I can’t be sure anymore. The backing and binding are from Adorn-it, too. I’m so happy I have been able to use their products lately.
Here is my finished quilt. It started out as a 13″ square top, but finished at 12.5″. The dense quilting caused it to draw up a bit, and I trimmed a bit off, too. It is a double batting – one layer of Warm and Natural, and one layer of Hobbs Wool. I used Aurifil 50 weight for my lines and feathers, then switched to Superior Bottom Line for the stippling and straight lines. I can’t wait to try some of the YLI silk that Lisa recommends for her fills.
What a fun way to finish a quilt. I might even be able to do that! Love that flanged binding!
Of course you can do it! It really was easy.
Thanks for sharing, Jen!
I knew that was from your Lisa Calle class – of course I thought it was the workshop you took in April! What fun to get a real class too. Love your little sample and what a great way to do it.
Where you speaking at the Berkshire guild? I grew up in Reading. It was fun to look and see what they are up to.
Actually, I was observing the judging at the Berks Guild quilt show. Part of getting ready to apply to be a candidate for being a judge.
Love your designs, Jen! Fabulous job getting it completed in 1-day. The Adorn-It fabrics turned out great in this. Nice to see you.
The quilting adds so much dimension to the mini quilt. I think it looks great!
Thanks, Yvonne!