A Passionate Quilter: February 2012

The Panama Canal Quilt Cruise- Classes!

While on the quilt cruise, I took three different classes. Two of the classes were more technique and the other was a class where I left with a finished quilt!

The first class was an exercise in embroidery. The purpose of the class was to make a Victorian purse. (See bottom left of photo-all items in this photo were made by the instructor, Kathy Kansier.)

I have little to no embroidery skills so this was a fun way to learn about how to make some traditional stitches by hand. I can see where these skills could be valuable and I’m glad I learned them!

I didn’t finish my purse, there was just so much else going on!! I did get some of it done…

I actually got more than this done, I don’t seem to have taken a more recent picture. She included in our kits a fusible map of Panama since this was one of the ports on our trip.

The following photos depict the work of Kathy Kansier.

I really liked her embroidered journal covers. I can certainly see myself making one of these!!

She brought some lovely crazy quilts. Here I could really see the fun of using embroidery stitches.

And a heart…

It was the trip of a lifetime. More to come from my other classes!

Heather

Making a Tube Quilt

I broke out my Max and Whiskers Jelly Roll and some solid white fabric and started a “Tube Quilt”. (Isn’t it hard to open a jelly roll?? They’re so pretty and the fabrics perfectly spaced.)

Tube Quilts are such a cool concept. I started by sewing 2 1/2” strips into strip sets made up of three fabrics each.

Next you pair up the strip sets, right sides together and sew down BOTH sides of the strip sets. (Making a tube).

Here we are after cutting the tube apart and pressing open the resulting blocks…looking good!

I’m linking to Quilt Stories' Fabric Tuesday! Check it out! :)

YouTube Videos…making Denim Circle Rag Quilt!

I’ve recently created a new YouTube channel called Passion Quilter 4u.

On this channel, you will find four videos designed to help you cut denim circles from jeans for the Pillow Tutorial and the Denim Circle Rag Quilt pattern.

The videos include:

1. Orientation to the Olfa Circle Cutter- The Basics

2. Using the Olfa Circle Cutter

3. How to cut a 6 1/2" Plastic Circle Template (for tracing)

4. How to Cut Circles from Jeans

Video #2- “Using the Olfa Circle Cutter”, tells you exactly how to set your cutter for a 6 1/2” circle.

Video #4, “How to Cut Circles from Jeans” demonstrates how to use the circle cutter on denim jeans.

www.APassionateQuilter.Blogspot.com

Fabric shopping in Curacao (on the Quilt Cruise)

I’m BACK! Back from 11 days of fun, sun and QUILTING in the Western Caribbean. We went on a Quilt Cruise compliments of my amazing husband for my 40th birthday.

While on the island of Curacao, we found a fabric store. Of course, it wasn’t a quilt store, but there was some cotton fabric and I made a small purchase. :) Couldn’t leave without one.

Ackerman’s in Curacao

Most of the fabric was geared toward making clothing.

Very little in the way of actual cotton.

Here were some of the cotton prints.

I found these prints on the second floor in a stack by themselves. I really like these colors and prints although I can’t say for certain they are 100% cotton.

I bought 6 yards for $25.00 (that’s approx $4.00/yard!)

Later, after we returned to the cruise ship we heard that one of the quilters from our group was paying for her purchase in Ackerman’s and a man walked right up to her, reached into her open purse and took all of her cash and ran out!!!! I NEVER would have seen that coming!

Out of the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao), Curacao seemed the least friendly and safe. We didn’t have a lot of time at each port but this was my overall feeling. Plus, the people working in Ackerman’s (and there were a LOT of them), were not exactly friendly or helpful.

It took quite a bit of work to get them to actually cut this fabric for me. Oh well. You take the good with the bad when you travel and try to remember that not everyone’s lives are all roses and sunshine!

We had such a wonderful time though, who can complain??? Do we look hot and sweaty? Curacao was HOT and I melted right into this chair!

The Finished Denim Circle Rag BAG!

Before I show you the finished photos, I just wanted to let you know that I would be gone from my blog for a few weeks. I will return February 20th.

Thank you again to those who spend time here at my blog! I so appreciate you!!

I continued to work on my purse today. I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted so I was making things up as I went along.

Sorry the pictures aren’t better. It was late at night and I just wanted to get them up on the blog before signing off! I’ll get better ones soon and some different fabrics.

I think this bag has a lot of potential for different looks.

Here’s the finished product BEFORE washing (but after clipping).