Home again! Helen, Lisa, E and I , all went up to QBL Sunday-Tuesday to take Kathy Doughty's Fractured class(her Book: Making Quilts is out now!) and well, honestly, it was the only time I'd get to have with my friend! (Without going all the way back to AU!) Besides, my NY gal pals needed some girl time too, so we grabbed our goodies and set off thinking we'd just whip up a quick quilt... (We NYC gals were determined to come home with a quilt top, and joked about who would get done first.) Let's see how that turned out!
It was a fantastic class. First off, Kathy is of course, super lovely... The quilt is rather genius, and what we at first thought might be a easy quilt, was a bit of a mind bender to begin... I personally have never made a "pattern" quilt. (my patterns come from quilts I have already made, I work completely backwards) My brain does not work, example: step one -step 10 etc... But rather, I need to visually start in the middle and work out, So, I did not look at the cutting instructions. Kathy gave a great how to for making the blocks, and we all set about working in our own process to proceed. I'm completely visual, so I looked directly at the finished quilt for my instruction. My only goal I had was to make an ORANGE quilt... and I ended up with a radiating palette, which I'm quite happy with it! Other's made "A", blocks, then "B" blocks etc... depending on their style, and built according to plan. Some just made any of the blocks as they decided colors... etc. It was very interesting to see how everyone tackled this quilt. We all have out special processes when we work, and it was exciting to see it all unfold.
Kathy had tons of beautiful quilts to share with us, and was a fabulous teacher.
The space at QBL was great. (QBL is associated with the Schweinfurth Art center in Auburn, NY) The QBL classes are held at the Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, NY. You stay in dorms, and it's all very social! Perfect! AND... I'm excited to add, that I am teaching there next year! So be sure to go sign up for classes! I'll have a two day 15 Minutes Play Improv class, and a three day, LeMoyne Star Improv class.(July 2014) Sign up for their newsletter to get connected!
The classes fill fast, and they use a lottery system, so you have to get your sign ups in, and hope you get the class you want... Although, any of the classes are fantastic! A super wide variety of talent! Why the lottery system? Because as I said, many of the classes fill very quickly, AND, many of the people who go have been going to QBL for 10-15-20 years... Keep coming back, so if a class fills fast, they use that lottery system so the same people are not always filling certain classes... If a class does not fill way past the size, then everyone gets in... When you meet people (people from coast to coast), you talk to them, you can not assume this is their first time, you have to say, "So how many years have you been coming here?" ;-)
http://www.quiltingbythelake.com
So just how far did we get on our quilts? You can see I'm strolling right along with mine here...
Lisa, I think, got nearly all her blocks done..... and nearly got it to a finished quilt top....
But it was E, who actually got ALL HER BLOCKS MADE!
I did get mine into a quilt top but, I did not have all my blocks made. Way to go E!!! I can't wait to see what her quilt will look like when the blocks are sewn together.... Fun, scrappy, goodness!
It was so fun to see how every one's stash looked being made into this quilt...Marjorie had mostly reproductions and well, her quilt is going to be SO SNUGLY! I was hovering over her fabulous stash, hoping she would throw some scraps my way. ;-) She did too. Thanks Marjorie!!!
Check out the video to see more of how each of the quilts are all so different... SO MUCH FUN!!!
http://www.quiltingbythelake.com
Any FUN things planned with your sewing pals this year?
fun fractured quilt! My quilting buds went for sushi and the Quilters musical on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteOH! You all did such a FABULOUS job! I made 'Fractured' two years ago for my niece's wedding quilt and LOVED it. I used up TONS of scraps! Loving the orange and yellow...I might have to make another one!
ReplyDeletethat is one that I want to make, I just got my book on Monday.
ReplyDeleteThe class was so energizing with Kathy. It helped me to look at my fabrics and colors in a different way. What fun for me to also meet you, Helen, Lisa, and E. You all rock!
ReplyDeleteOMG, how I love yours!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you guys ,I mean ladies, had a fab time. Never met Kathy, but love her work and her blog, seems like a special lady. : )
Oh boy that looks like fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm going on a shop hop on Friday with two new quilting buddies :0).
Life is good aren't we blessed that we get to make quilts???
Happy Sewing
These are so pretty. We were just looking at this quilt pattern in her new book last night at our MQG meeting.
ReplyDeleteLOVE your orange-gray top! What a fun time you had.
ReplyDeleteKathy's new book is now in the top spot on my Wish List.
And now I know what to do with the growing pile of leftovers from a red quilt in progress...
Orange. Yum. I'm seeing this quil everywhere and I'm sorely tempted. Your's looks great!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun day! Love that pattern, it looks great in every color scheme!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! Love your quilt, especially that bit of pink in there.
ReplyDeleteWhat so much fun you gals had. I have following you on IG and FB and so jealous! Love your quilt, the color and all - Hugs Nat
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ReplyDeleteFun! As different as our thumbprints!
Those quilts are going to be beautiful! I'm looking forward to our Desert Quilters Retreat at the end of September!
ReplyDeleteLook at your photo again and see if you have the bottom left corner going in the direction you want it to.
ReplyDeleteGood eye, :-) I do. I made a reference to that in the video... I leave those oopsies.
DeleteI love, love this quilt! Have not seen it before, and must make one (or more!). Which book is it in? Love your orange version, and can't wait to see where you go from there.
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love the Fractured quilt. How fun that you got to take the class from Kathy.
ReplyDeleteThis quilt looks like too much fun to make! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteGlad you all had fun. Your quilts are amazing! However, OCC (Onanadaga Community College) is in Syracuse. QBL is run by the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn NY (about 30 minutes west).
ReplyDeleteYes, QBL is run by the Schweifurth in Auburn, and yes the classes are held at OCC, which is in Syracuse.
DeleteLoved this post Victoria, looks like you all had a fab time and I'm so relieved to know that when I'm working at The City Quilter with Robin on Wednesday she's finally got her Cs and Ds sorted, huge thanks to Kathy! ;) Great quilts and fabrics all round :)
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