WHAT'S NEXT?

It's been too long since I have updated this blog.  I thought I would get something done over the summer, but I worked on a couple of normal sized quilts, and I've knitted, but I have just thought about what I will work on next in miniature.  Unfortunately, I am in the mindset that if I am going to do a labor intensive project it would have to be for competition. But, in that respect, I'm not sure that I can be all that competitive anymore.  It was a stroke of luck that one of my quilts was chosen to be in the permanent collection at the National Quilt Museum. I was new to competition, and new to making miniature quilts.  I worked very hard on that quilt, and I am so honored to have it hanging on the wall with quilts made by quilting legends.  But now that they offer a "Best Miniature Quilt category" at the AQS show, more and more "professional" quilters are competing,  I am not sure that my work could ever hold a candle to theirs.  Couple that insecurity, with the expense of competition, It has kept me away from entering anything the past couple of years. 
 I just don't seem to be able to put anything simple together just for practice.  I don't know why I'm like this, but it prevents me from moving forwards some time. 

So, I have been thinking of working along in some books.  Doing projects designed by someone else, pick up some new ideas, and techniques.  TERRIE SANDELIN has some great ideas for simple block quilts. You can do a lot with color.  For instance, my quilt Grace that is in the lower side bar, is just one block.  No, it wasn't easy.  I had more than one "What was I thinking" moment while making this quilt.  Each block was an individual endless chain block.

Each block had 5 pieces and finished at ONE HALF of an inch.  Just think.  If I knew Terrie's technique, I could have whipped up one of these quilts in an easier block, I wouldn't have had the nightmare of quilting a 12" quilt with so many seams.

SALLY COLLINS is a quilter that I admire so much.  I have never had a class with her.  But, I did get to attend one of her lectures and see all of her quilts.  I was at a show last summer and caught up with her at the end of one of her classes.  I wanted to ask her about her new drafting book.  She had an advance copy and let me look at it.  I bought it when it came out a month later.  Of all of the people out there now that make miniature quilts, I love hers the most.  Maybe it is because, although she does make miniature quilts, she also makes larger quilts with small scale blocks.  And I really like that.  She has several books with projects that teach.  I may just work my way through one of her books.

MARY KAY MOUTON is I think somewhat new on the quilting scene.  I first came to know who she was when I saw her quilt hanging at a show. I believe it is named the same as her book, Flip Flop Paper Piecing.

It is amazing, because it is precisely pieced, on one foundation.  She has a way to work a block on one foundation without having to sew foundations together.  Those little blocks that border the center compass are only maybe an inch big.  It is an absolutely brilliant idea.  Her book is another that is written as a learn along.  You start at the beginning and build your knowledge and skills by working through the book. 

Although my grandmother taught me the basic quilting skills when I was a little girl, it consisted of cardboard templates and hand piecing.  Quilting has advanced by leaps and bounds since then.  The only way to keep up is to learn from others.  I have taught myself just about everything I know from reading books.  Occasionally, I will fine tune my skills by taking a class with the author of my favorite books.

I will try not to be gone so long this time.  I need to pick a book and get to work. You are welcome to watch. 

Happy Quilting!!

Teri