Little Class, Big Success

Hi All,

Yesterday was my Celtic Knot class at the Orange Quilt Bee in Orange, California.  I had two people join me for this class.  I personally love a smaller class, especially when I'm instructing a technique.  The point of the class was to learn a few techniques on making bias tape and some special tips on laying it out to look nice and smooth.  We used Roxanne's glue baste to fix it to the background.  There is some under/over weaving silliness but its really fun.  Once this prep is done, then its easy-peasy to just sew the pieces down.

After discussing and demonstrating a few different ways to do bias tape we settled for my favorite method which if the Bias Tape Maker.  I have this tool in several sizes and will probably never use bias bars again.  The bias comes out nice and flat and is really easy to flex around curves.  It took everyone less than an hour to make all the strips for their design.  For a knot like the one I'm working on, 6"-18" strips work best because you are having to weave a bit, under over, etc.











But wait.... I just saw this machine on line that supposedly does up to 35' in one shot.  Don't think I would want that for this class but for long bias strips on a border it would be great!  

Barbara did a great job on this one.  Her colors were selected to match a bed quilt she is making.  I like how the subtle colors of the inserts give this a life of its own.  Also she was more partial to the symmetry in 3's giving it a more geometric look.  Another 15 min and she would have been done!  Great job Barbara!

I made Marilyn stay long and finish the last strip, I can't believe she was going to leave and not put the last little piece on there. Truth be told, I think I just wanted an excuse to yell "Whoo Hoo!" at the end..  Her color inserts focused on symmetry of 6's and gives it more of a flowery appeals.  She used a charm pack for colors, two from each.  Terrific work Marilyn!

Thank you both for a lovely Saturday afternoon and can't wait to see your completed projects.  And thank you to the ladies at Orange Quilt Bee for allowing me to teach at your shop and for being so helpful.

Have wonderful Memorial Day Weekend, I hope you find time to sew.

Aunti, Nicole

Celtic Knot

A couple of weeks ago the gang at Orange Quilt Bee in Orange, CA invited me to do another class this summer.  I chose the Celtic Knot.  About 8 years ago my sister taught this class in Mt Shasta at Sew Unique.  My sister is one of my favorite quilters and is an excellent teacher, mother, nurse.

And here is a wedding gift that she did for me.   Little 12" square, but its one of the only quilts that hangs on a wall in my house.  Its hand quilted to boot!















 I have resurrected the class with her permission and added some new things I have learned along the way.   I did this  last Sunday after noon, after my workshop and after a nap.  took me about 3 hrs.

As you will see in the blowup, it is not yet sewn down, but that part is a piece-o-cake.











I had so much fun making this piece I may make a border for it ;]  I can't wait for the class.

The class is scheduled for May 28th and will be on their calendar soon.  So you if you want to signup just email them and they'll take care of you or just let me know.

Hope you get to sew today!
Aunti
Nicole

Happy Anniversary Baaaabeeee!

On one hand it is hard to beleive its been 8 years and on the other hand it seems like its always been this way.   Thank you for being a loving and supportive husband.  Here's to many many more years together.  Love You Pete

This Celtic Knot was made by my sister Dana for our wedding in 2002.  Its all hand done and about 14" square.   Actually it is currently the only quilt adorning our walls and hung so that we see it everyday to remind us of that day.  I think it is just beautiful.